•- 


DKIlirr  S-  MILJ^B.,  PTlBIiISHEB 


THE 


LINCOLN  MEMORIAL. 


The  Early  Home  of  Abraham  Lincoln  as  it  now  stands  in  Elizabeth- 
town,  Hardin  County,  Kentucky 


NEW    YORK: 
BUNCE    &    HUNTINGTON,  PUBLISHERS, 


THE 


LINCOLN  MEMORIAL: 


A    RECORD 


OF 


THE    LIFE,  ASSASSINATION, 


AND 


OBSEQUIES 


OF    THE 


MARTYRED-  PRESIDENT. 


EDITED  BY 

JOHN  GILMAET  SHEA,  LL.  D., 

EDITOR   OF   THE   HISTORICAL   MAGAZINE,    ETC. 


NEW    YOEK: 
BUNCE    &   HUNTINGTON, 

540     BROADWAY. 
1865. 


•    2, 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  one  thousand  eight  hundred 
and  sixty-five, 

BY    BUNCE    &    HUNTINGTON, 

In  the  Clerk's  Office  of  the  District  Court  of  the  United  States  for  the  Southerr 
District  of  New  York. 


PREFACE. 


THE  death  of  President  Lincoln  and  the  terrible  circum 
stances  attending  it,  his  funeral  rites,  solemn  beyond  example 
in  history,  and  the  passage  of  his  honored  remains  from  city  to 
city  for  thousands  of  miles,  created  too  deep  an  impression  not 
to  make  the  scenes  and  the  words  spoken  by  the  great  and 
eloquent  in  that  season  matters  to  be  preserved  as  a  record  for 
after  time  and  thought. 

To  meet  this  feeling,  the  present  Memorial  has  been  com 
piled.  Original  matter  has  been  furnished,  and  the  full  reports 
of  the  press,  in  all  parts  of  the  country,  freely  used. 

Giving  a  sketch  of  the  late  President's  life,  an  account  of  his 
death  and  obsequies,  the  effect  here  and  in  Europe,  it  may  be 
said  to  include  all  that  is  worthy  of  preservation,  and,  as  such, 
is  submitted  to  the  public. 


M16903 


CONTENTS. 


I  LIFE  OF  ABRAHAM  LINCOLN 7 

His  first  Protest  against  Slavery 15 

Resolutions  on  the  Mexican  War 17 

Acceptance  of  the  Chicago  Nomination 24 

Farewell  Address  at  Springfield 26 

First  Inaugural  Address,  March  4,  1861 27 

Proclamation,  April  15,  1861 37 

Emancipation  Proclamations 41,  43 

Amnesty  Proclamation 45 

Second  Inaugural  Address,  March  4,  1865 49 

II.  ASSASSINATION  AND  LAST  MOMENTS  OF  THE  PRESIDENT 53 

Major  Rathbone's  Account 61 

Miss  Harries  Account 63 

Captain  McGowan's  Account 65 

Hon.  M.  B.  Field's  account  of  the  death 69 

III.  THE  EFFECT  ON  THE  COUNTRY 73 

The  World  Editorial 76 

Speech  of  General  Butler 81 

Speech  of  Hon.  Daniel  S.  Dickinson 83 

Speech  of  Ex.  President  Pierce 85 

Sermon  of  Rev.  Dr.  Gurley  on  Easter  Sunday 88 

Sermon  of  Rev.  Henry  W.  Bellows 90 

Sermon  of  Archbishop  McCloskey 99 

Sermon  of  Rev.  Henry  Ward  Beecher 101 

IV.  THE  FUNERAL  AT  WASHINGTON. 109 

Prayer  of  Bishop  Simpson 117 

Faith  in  God,  a  Sermon  on  the  Death  of  the  President,  by  the 

Rev.  P.  D.  Gurley,  D.  D 120 

Prayer  by  Dr.  Gray 127 

Order  of  the  Procession 129 

Prayer  by  Dr.  Gurley  at  the  Capitol 136 

V.  FUNERAL  OBSERVANCES  IN  OTHER  CITIES 139 

Circulars  of  Bishops 141 

Address  of  Ralph  W.  Emerson,  at  Concord 146 

Address  of  General  Banks  at  New  Orleans 156 

VI.  THE  FUNERAL  CORTEGE  FROM  WASHINGTON  TO  SPRINGFIELD  . .  161 

Prayers  of  Rev.  Dr.  Gurley 164-5 

Obsequies  in  Baltimore 169 


o  CONTENTS. 

Obsequies  at  Harrisburg 172 

Obsequies  at  Philadelphia 174 

Obsequies-at  New  York 180 

The  Procession 187 

Services  at  Union  Square , 198 

Oration  by  Hon  George  Bancroft 199 

Ode  by  William  C.  Bryant 205 

Progress  of  the  Funeral  from  New  York  to  Albany 206 

Progress  of  the  Funeral  from  Albany  to  Columbus 212 

Obsequies  at  Columbus 213 

Obsequies  at  Chicago 218 

VII.  THE  RITES  AT  SPRINGFIELD 223 

The  Dirge 228 

Funeral  Oration  by  Bishop  Simpson 229 

Funeral  Hymn 239 

VIII.  THE  EFFECT  OF  THE  ASSASSINATION  IN  EUROPE 243 

Language  of  the  English  Press 245 

Proceedings  in  Parliament 253 

Remarks  of  Earl  Russell 253 

Remarks  of  Earl  Derby 256 

Remarks  of  Sir  George  Grey 259 

Effect  in  France 262 

Article  by  Henri  Martin,  the  Historian 263 

Proceedings  in  the  Corps  Legislatif . .  264 

Effect  in  Italy *  .  267 

Effect  in  Belgium t 267 

Effect  in  Prussia 268 

IX.  POEMS 271 

Abraham  Lincoln,  an  Horatian  Ode  by  R.  H.  Stoddard 273 

Abraham  Lincoln,  Foully  Assassinated,  April  14th,  1865,  from 

the  London  Punch 279 

X.  THE  ASSASSIN  AND  His  END 281 


LIFE  OF  ABRAHAM   LINCOLN. 


HE  filled  the  Nation's  eye  sad  heart, 

An  honored,  loved,  familiar  name ; 

So  much  a  brother,  that  his  fame 
Seemed  of  our  lives  a  common  part 

His  towering  figure,  sharp  and  spare, 
Was  with  such  nervous  tension  strung, 
As  if  on  each  strained  sinew  swung 

The  burden  of  a  people's  care. 

His  changing  face  what  pen  can  draw? 

Pathetic,  kindly,  droll,  or  stern  ; 

And  with  a  glance  so  quick  to  learn 
The  inmost  truth  of  all  he  saw. 

Pride  found  no  idle  space  to  spawn 

Her  fancies  in  his  busy  mind  ; 

His  worth— like  health  or  air— could  find 
No  just  appraisal  till  withdrawn. 

He  was  his  Country's— not  his  own ! 

He  had  no  wish  but  for  her  weal ; 

Nor  for  himself  could  think  or  feel 
But  as  a  laborer  for  her  throne. 

Her  flag  upon  the  heights  of  power, 
Stainless  and  unassailed  to  place- 
To  this  one  end  his  earnest  face 

Was  sent  through  every  burdened  hour. 

Charles  G.  Halpine. 


I. 

LIFE  OF  ABRAHAM  LINCOLN. 


THERE  is  perhaps  no  point  in  which  all  human  -history,  and 
the  records  of  inspiration,  are  more  clearly  illustrative  of  each 
other  than  this — that  Providence,  in  working  out  the  great  and 
mighty  revolutions  in  the  civil  and  social,  no  less  than  in  the 
religious  order,  chooses  the  unknown,  the  lowly,  the  apparently 
unfit.  But  though  drawn  from  obscurity,  these  instruments  in 
the  Mighty  Hand  are  always  intrinsically  great — great  in  clear 
ness  of  thought,  great  in  calm  deliberation,  great  in  earnestness, 
in  unaffectedness,  in  unselfish  devotion  to  duty. 

Thus  viewed,  Abraham  Lincoln  was  truly  great.  Raised 
suddenly  to  the  station  which  Washington  was  the  first  to  fill, 
his  sudden  elevation  sent  a  pang  to  the  hearts  of  many,  as 
though  a  sad  degeneracy  had  fallen  on  our  times ;  while  others 
shuddered  at  the  unequalness  of  the  man  for  the  most  critical 
position  which  had  yet  arisen  in  American  affairs. 

Four  years  have  so  changed  all  this,  that  his  name  is  uni 
versally  revered ;  the  great  qualities  which  he  really  possessed, 
his  knowledge  of  men,  his  uprightness  and  honesty,  his  kindli 
ness  of  heart,  his  extreme  caution  in  the  unnumbered  difficulties 
that  daily  arose  in  the  constant  civil  and  military  emergencies, 
with  a  firmness  that  was  never  swerved  by  flattery  or  fear — all 
these,  and  the  great  results  effected  under  his  administration, 
have  given  him  in  the  heart  of  the  people  a  place  second  only 
to  that  of  the  Father  of  his  Country.  The  sudden  and  terrible 
assassination  which  so  suddenly  cut  short  his  second  adminis 
trative  term,  has  embalmed  his  memory^  and  in  its  very  sud 
denness  convinced  men  of  all  opinions  and  all  parties  of  the 
extent  and  greatness  of  the  national  loss. 


10  LINCOLN  MEMORIAL. 

Sprung  from  the  people,  with  no  ancestral  renown  or  ser 
vices,  with,  none  of  the  auxiliaries  which  wealth,  social  position, 
or  academic  honors  afford  the  mass  of  aspirants  to  great  public 
honors,  Abraham  Lincoln  rose  step  by  step  to  the  highest  station 
in  the  gift  of  his  fellow-countrymen.  And  although  party 
virulence,  which  in  our  press  has  no  check,  persistently  coupled 
his  name  with  odious  epithets,  there  has  never  been  the 
slightest  charge  of  any  thing  to  detract  from  a  high  moral 
character.  He  was  too  great  to  stoop  to  vile  means  to  accom 
plish  his  ends. 

No  Caesar  he,  whom  we  lament, 
A  Man  without  a  precedent, 

Sent,  it  would  seem,  to  do 

His  work,  and  perish  too  I 

The  study  of  the  life  of  the  unpretending,  homely  Abraham 
Lincoln  is,  then,  a  study  for  the  American  people  and  the 
world.  He  is  a  man  possible  only  under  our  form  of  govern 
ment,  and  in  life  and  death  a  proof  of  its  excellence.  He  is 
no  common  man  whose  loss  is  so  deplored ;  he  is  no  common 
man  whose  loss  a  ruler-choosing-nation  sees  no  one  to  fill  in  its 
confidence  and  affection. 

Some  industrious  genealogist,  tracing  out  the  Lincoln  family 
in  America,  will  hereafter  tell  us  of  the  original  ancestor  of 
the  President  in  this  country.  He  was,  from  all  that  family 
tradition  preserves,  one  of  the  clear-headed  honest  Friends  who 
came  to  settle  the  colony  granted  to  William  Penn,  and  made 
his  new  home  in  Berks  county,  Pennsylvania.  Some  of  his 
descendants  pushing  southward  became  citizens  of  Virginia, 
and  here  in  Kockingham  county  was  born  Abraham  Lincoln, 
the  grandfather  of  the  President,  and  the  eldest  of  five  brothers. 
The  influence  of  affairs  had  transformed  the  staid  Quakers 
into  hardy  backwoodsmen,  and  when  Boone  laid  open  to  the 
adventurous  the  rich  lands  of  Kentucky,  then  an  outlying 
wilderness  forming  the  western  part  of  Virginia,  Abraham 
Lincoln  was  one  of  the  host  of  stalwart  pioneers  who,  unher 
alded  and  unsung,  pushed  westward  to  found  on  the  southern 
shore  of  the  Ohio  the  high-toned  State  of  Kentucky. 

The  young  pioneer  settled,  it  is  generally  supposed,  on  Floyd's 
Creek,  and  rearing  there  the  log-cabin  of  a  pioneer,  cleared  the 


LIFE  OF  ABRAHAM  LINCOLN.  H 

forest  to  begin  the  necessary  cultivation.  But  before  he  could 
see  his  labors  crowned  with  success,  or  a  home  for  himself  and 
his  children  blooming  in  the  wilderness,  the  torrent  of  Indian 
war,  so  cruelly  kept  alive  by  the  English  authorities  against  us 
in  the  Revolution,  swept  that  exposed  frontier,  and  Abraham  Lin 
coln  was  killed  and  scalped  by  the  savages  in  one  of  their  forays. 

The  widow,  with  her  little  family,  was  left  thus  bereft  of  all, 
far  from  the  aid  of  civilized  society ;  but  her  boys  struggled 
manfully,  and  Thomas,  the  youngest,  with  the  clear  hereditary 
head  and  self-reliance,  stood  the  buffets  of  fortune  till  he  reached 
manhood.  He  married,  in  1806,  Lucy  Hankes,  and  settled  in 
Hardin  county.  Here,  on  a  knoll  that  rises  from  the  banks  of 
Nolen  Creek,  and  about  a  mile  above  Hodgensville,  Abraham 
Lincoln  was  born,  on  the  12th  of  February,  1809,  and  here  he 
remained  until  his  sixth  year,  when  his  father  removed  a  few 
miles  further  on  to  a  new  location. 

At  seven  years  of  age  he  was  sent  to  school  to  a  Mr.  Hazel, 
carrying  with  him  an  old  copy  of  Dilworth's  spelling-book,  one 
of  the  three  volumes  that  constituted  the  family  library.  He 
was  also  for  a  time  under  another  teacher,  of  the  name  of  Riney ; 
but  the  whole  period  during  which  he  was  enabled  to  enjoy  any 
of  the  advantages  of  a  school  was  extremely  limited,  not  ex 
ceeding  at  most  a  few  months. 

The  family,  as  will  readily  be  seen,  were  poor,  and  in  a  poor 
part  of  the  country.  Mr.  TJ.  F.  Linder,  a  leading  Democratic 
lawyer  of  Illinois,  a  friend  of  Mr.  Lincoln  from  boyhood,  says : 
— "I  knew  his  father  and  his  relatives  in  Kentucky.  They 
were  a  good  family.  They  were  poor,  and  the  very  poorest 
people,  I  might  say,  of  the  middle  classes ;  but  they  were  true." 
In  a  slave  State,  the  position  of  the  poor  white  was  one  utterly 
disheartening  and  crushing ;  and  Thomas  Lincoln,  after  battling 
wearily  with  his  disadvantages,  resolved  to  strike  forward  to  a 
field  opening  greater  prospects  of  success  for  himself  and  his 
children.  When  Abraham  was  in  his  eighth  year,  his  father 
sold  his  clearing,  and,  placing  all  his  household  goods  on  a  raft, 
sought  a  new  home  in  the  wilds  of  Spencer  county,  Indiana. 
After  seven  days'  journey  through  an  almost  uninhabited  coun 
try,  and,  for  part  of  the  way,  actually  hewing  a  road  through 
the  woods,  the  pioneers  reached  their  new  home. 

A  log  hut  soon  rose  in  the  clearing,  Abraham  giving  such 


12  LINCOLN  MEMORIAL. 

assistance  as  his  age  and  strength  permitted,  for  he  was  never 
in  life  an  idler.  His  life  here  during  the  next  twelve  years 
furnishes  few  incidents.  For  education,  his  opportunities  were 
even  less  than  in  his  native  State ;  but  he  was  ambitious,  and 
sought  to  improve.  Books  were  not  more  plenty  in  the  cabins 
of  the  neighbors  than  in  the  humble  domicil  of  the  Lincolns  ; 
but  Abraham  sought  out  all  that  he  could  find,  and,  aided  by  his 
mother,  he  read  them  with  avidity.  A  copy  of  Weems's  Life 
of  Washington,  which  he  read,  impressed  him  deeply,  and  the 
poor  boy,  little  dreaming  that  he  was  ever  to  succeed  the  Father 
of  his  Country  as  the  head  of  the  Government,  paid  in  toil 
for  the  pleasure  which  the  perusal  of  the  life  afforded  him. 
The  rain  at  night,  penetrating  through  the  chinks  of  the  cabin, 
spoiled  the  book,  and  some  days'  hard  labor  for  the  owner  was 
the  boy's  only  means  of  compensation,  and  this,  with  his  pro 
verbial  honesty,  he  insisted  on  performing. 

The  arrival  of  a  young  man  in  the  neighborhood  who  could 
write,  and  who  kindly  offered  to  teach  young  Lincoln,  was  in 
deed  an  epoch.  Already  filled  with  the  idea  that  he  needed 
but  education  to  rise,  and  that  he  had  good  sound  sense  enough  to 
fight  his  way,  he  allowed  no  occasion  of  improvement  to  escape. 

He  was  now  to  lose  his  mother — his  almost  only  teacher — 
a  good,  simple,  pious  woman,  who  sought  to  instil  into  her  son 
the  principles  of  virtue  and  religion,  and  give  him  such  educa 
tion  as  her  ability  afforded.  Abraham  deeply  deplored  her 
loss,  and  his  first  letter  was  one  addressed  to  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Elkins,  a  travelling  preacher  and  an  old  friend  of  his  mother's, 
requesting  him  to  come  and  perform  funeral  exercises  over  her 
grave.  Three  months  after,  the  clergyman  and  the  friends 
assembled  to  pay  a  last  tribute  to  one  universally  beloved  and 
respected. 

A  brief  term  at  a  school  established  near  them,  and  we  find 
Abraham,  at  the  age  of  eighteen,  seeking  employment  and  pre 
paring  to  relieve  his  father  by  doing  for  himself.  A  neighbor 
starting  with  a  boat-load  of  stores  for  JSTew  Orleans  invited  him 
to  join  him,  and  the  young  man  readily  accepted  the  oppor 
tunity.  In  March,  1830,  his  father,  who  had  married  again, 
removed  to  a  spot  on  the  north  side  of  the  Sangamon  river,  ten 
miles  west  of  Decatur,  in  Macon  county,  Illinois ;  and  Abra 
ham,  after  assisting  him  in  the  removal,  as  well  as  in  erecting 


LIFE  OF  ABRAHAM  LINCOLN.  1  3 

a  new  house,  split  the  rails  for  a  fence — an  incident  which  was 
taken  up  in  the  canvass  for  the  Presidency,  and  made  his  rails 
as  famous  as  Harrison's  log  cabin. 

Working  around  by  day,  studying  and  improving  himself  by 
night,  the  young  man  pushed  ahead,  and,  in  the  spring  of  1831, 
was  taken  into  the  employ  of  a  speculating  trader  named  Den- 
ton  OfFutt,  who  had  noticed  his  good  qualities.  With  him.  he 
took  a  boat  again  to  New  Orleans,  but,  on  its  return,  the  boat 
got  aground  near  'New  Salem,  in  Illinois,  near  a  mill  and  store. 
Offutt,  deeming  it  a  place  for  an  opening,  got  possession  of  the 
place  and  opened  the  store,  Lincoln  being  his  clerk  and  manager. 
He  soon  made  his  mark :  an  attempt  of  a  gang  of  the  bullies 
of  the  place  to  give  him  a  beating  resulted  in  the  defeat  of 
their  champion  by  the  tall,  sinewy  stranger,  who  at  once  be 
came  a  favorite  with  those  who  guaged  men  by  their  physical 
endurance  and  courage,  while  his  affable  manners,  his  unfailing 
cheerfulness,  his  ready  wit,  and  his  stories,  made  him  a  favorite 
with  all.  A  store  was  soon  his  own ;  but  he  was  too  honest 
and  too  kind-hearted  to  drive  sharp  bargains,  and  soon  found 
himself  in  difficulties  which  it  required  years  of  subsequent 
struggle  to  clear  away,  but  which  he  allowed  to  stand  no  longer 
than  his  ability  to  discharge  them.  Honest  Abraham  Lincoln 
knew  no  bankrupt's  discharge,  but  a  receipt  in  full  on  pay 
ment  in  full. 

The  office  of  postmaster  of  New  Salem,  a  petty  office  in 
deed,  was  his  first  public  position,  and  one  which  gave  him 
intense  pleasure  from  the  opportunity  of  reading  it  afforded 
him ;  and  it  is  not  a  little  remarkable  that  he  began  life,  we 
may  say,  by  serving  the  General  Government  in  a  civil,  and, 
soon  after,  in  a  military  capacity. 

While  still  a  clerk,  the  Black  Hawk  war  broke  out,  and  a 
company  of  volunteers  was  raised  which  elected  him  captain. 
He  marched  his  force  to  Beardstown,  but  they  were  not  called 
into  active  service  during  their  term  of  thirty  days ;  vet,  with 
persistence  characteristic  of  him,  he  enlisted  in  another  com 
pany,  and  remained  in  service  till  the  war  was  ended. 

This  early  choice  of  one  who  was  at  most  a  clerk  and  hand 
in  a  country  store,  shows  how  clearly  his  fellow-citizens  had 
recognized  him  as  one  born  to  be  a  ruler  of  men.  At  the  next 
election  for  members  of  the  Legislature,  he  was  taken  up  as  the 


14  LINCOLN  MEMORIAL. 

candidate  of  his  district,  and  so  completely  united  the  votes  of 
all  parties  in  his  precinct  that  he  received  every  vote  but  seven 
out  of  284;  and  though  he  was  defeated  in  the  district  at  large, 
it  was  the  only  occasion  in  which  he  failed  in  a  popular  election. 

About  this  time,  by  the  advice  and  aid  of  John  Calhoun, 
afterwards  prominent  in  the  troubles  in  Kansas,  as  president  of 
the  Lecompton  Constitutional  Convention,  Mr.  Lincoln  studied 
surveying,  and  soon  met  with  sufficient  employment ;  but  diffi 
culties  weighed  so  heavily  on  him,  that  his  instruments  were 
actually  at  one  time  seized  for  debt. 

He  still  took  an  active  part  in  politics,  and  in  August,  1834, 
was  elected  to  the  Legislature  by  a  large  majority.  In  this  new 
field  he  learned  much.  He  was  a  persistent  student,  and  had 
already,  by  close  application,  made  up  for  much  of  the  defi 
ciency  of  his  early  education.  He  analyzed  all  he  read,  and 
gave  up  nothing  till  he  had  thoroughly  mastered  it.  This  gave 
him  a  correctness  and  precision  of  thought  which  never  failed 
him.  Naturally  modest,  he  discharged  his  legislative  duties 
without  any  of  the  parade  or  elation  which  makes  some  inex 
perienced  members  mere  tools  of  the  wily  politician  or  person 
ally  ridiculous.  His  clearness  and  eloquence  struck  the  Hon. 
John  T.  Stuart,  one  of  his  fellow-members,  and  he  urged  the 
young  member  to  study  law. 

Acting  on  this  advice,  he  set  himself  to  Blackstone  with 
ardor,  his  favorite  retreat  being  a  wooded  knoll  near  New 
Salem,  where,  stretched  under  an  oak,  he  would  pore  over  the 
doctrines  of  the  Common  Law,  utterly  unconscious  of  all  pass 
ing  around  him,  and  impressing  some,  at  least,  of  his  neighbors 
with  doubts  of  his  entire  sanity.  In  1836,  he  was  admitted  to 
the  bar,  and  was  the  same  year  again  elected  to  the  Legislature 
— an  honor  conferred  on  him  by  his  fellow-citizens  successively 
in  1838  and  1840. 

This  closed  for  a  time  his  political  career.  During  the  eight 
years  of  his  service  in  the  assembly,  a  great  rage  prevailed  for 
public  improvements ;  but  we  find  Mr.  Lincoln's  name  recorded 
in  favor  of  none  of  those  extravagant  projects  which  were  sub 
sequently  so  disastrous.  He  always  favored  improvements 
which  his  practical  sound  sense  commended  as  judicious.  Dur 
ing  his  first  term  of  service,  he  was  a  member  of  the  Committee 
on  Public  Accounts  and  Expenditures.  Every  act  in  favor  of 


LIFE  OF  ABRAHAM  LINCOLN.  15 

education,  agricultural  improvements,  the  relief  of  the  strug 
gling  poor  man,  met  his  warm  support.  Questions  of  a  national 
character  seldom  came  up ;  but  pro-slavery  resolutions  having 
been  presented  to  the  House,  in  1837.  Mr.  Lincoln,  in  the  fol 
lowing  protest,  recorded  views,  which  show  how  early  he  formed 
his  opinion  and  how  little  he  ever  swerved  from  it : — 

MARCH,  3,  1837. 

The  following  protest  was  presented  to  the  House,  which  was 
read  and  ordered  to  be  spread  on  the  journals,  to  wit : — 

"  Kesolutions  upon  the  subject  of  domestic  slavery  having  passed 
both  branches  of  the  General  Assembly,  at  its  present  session,  the 
undersigned  hereby  protest  against  the  passage  of  the  same. 

"  They  believe  that  the  institution  of  slavery  is  founded  on  both  in 
justice  and  bad  policy  ;  but  that  the  promulgation  of  abolition  doc 
trines  tends  rather  to  increase  than  abate  its  evils. 

"  They  believe  that  the  Congress  of  the  United  States  has  no 
power,  under  the  Constitution,  to  interfere  with  the  institution  of 
slavery  in  the  different  States. 

"  They  believe  that  the  Congress  of  the  United  States  has  the 
power,  under  the  Constitution,  to  abolish  slavery  in  the  District  of 
Columbia  ;  but  that  the  power  ought  not  to  be  exercised,  unless  at 
the  request  of  the  people  of  said  District. 

"  The  difference  between  these  opinions  and  those  contained  in 
the  said  resolutions,  is  their  reason  for  entering  this  protest. 

"  (Signed) 

"DAN.  STONE, 
"A.  LINCOLN, 
" Represented ivesfrom  the  County  of  Sangamon" 

In  1837,  he  moved  to  Springfield,  and  became  a  partner  of  his 
friend,  Mr.  Stuart,  the  connection  thus  formed  continuing  till 
the  election  of  Mr.  Stuart  to  Congress,  when  Mr.  Lincoln  be 
came  the  partner  of  Judge  Logan,  one  of  the  leaders  of  the  bar. 

Mr.  Lincoln's  characteristics  as  an  advocate  were  an  earnest 
ness  and  sincerity  of  manner,  and  a  directness,  conciseness,  and 
strength  of  style ;  he  appealed,  at  other  times,  to  the  weapons  of 
good-humored  ridicule  as  ably  as  to  the  heavier  arms  of  forensic 
combat.  He  was  strongest  in  civil  cases,  but  in  a  criminal  cause 
that  enlisted  his  sympathy  he  was  also  great.  It  was  then  that 
the  advocate's  convictions,  presented  to  the  jury  in  terse  and 


16  LINCOLN  MEMORIAL. 

forcible  yet  eloquent  language,  sometimes  outweighed  the 
charge  of  the  judge.  Juries  listened  to  him  and  concurred  in 
his  arguments;  for  his  known  truth  had  preceded  his  argu 
ments,  and  he  triumphed.  There  might  be  law  and  evidence 
against  him,  but  the  belief  that  Lincoln  was  right,  nothing 
could  shake  in  the  minds  of  those  who  knew  the  man. 

He  prepared  his  cases  with  infinite  care,  when  he  had  nothing 
but  technical  work  before  him.  No  detail  of  the  affair  escaped 
him.  All  the  parts  were  perfectly  fitted  together,  and  the 
peculiar  powers  of  his  keen  analytic  mind  were  brought  into 
full  play. 

Lincoln  did  not  grow  rich  at  the  law,  though  possessing  a 
decent  competence  and  owing  no  man  any  thing.  No  early 
friend  of  Lincoln  ever  appealed  to  him  in  vain ;  and  his  biog 
raphers  relate  his  defence  of  young  Armstrong,  the  son  of  an 
early  benefactor,  for  whom  he  secured  an  acquittal  when  every 
thing  seemed  to  render  his  conviction  certain. 

Another  old  friend,  U.  F.  Linder,  Esq.,  a  member  of  the 
Illinois  bar,  at  a  meeting  of  the  profession  called  when  the  sad 
tidings  of  Mr.  Lincoln's  death  arrived,  alluding  to  a  case  in 
which  his  own  son  was  involved  in  a  similar  difficulty,  said : — 

"  On  that  occasion,  many  seemed  to  avail  themselves  of  the  op 
portunity  to  wreak  vengeance  upon  me  in  the  death  of  my  son.  I 
wrote  to  Mr.  Lincoln.  I  was  in  a  quarter  of  the  country  where  "I 
knew  he  was  a  tower  of  strength,  where  his  name  raised  up  friends, 
where  his  arguments  at  law  had  more  power  than  the  instructions 
of  the  court.  I  feared — many  of  his  political  .friends  being  united 
against  my  son — that  his  services  and  his  talents  might  be  enlisted 
against  him.  I  wrote  to  him,  giving  him  all  the  circumstances, 
telling  him  of  my  wife's  grief  and  my  own,  and  soliciting  that  he 
would  come  and  assist  me  to  defend  my  son  ;  that  I  thought  he 
had  been  employed  against  him.  I  preserved  his  letter  for  a  long 
time.  I  wish  I  had  it  now  ;  I  should  rejoice  in  its  possession.  The 
sum  of  it  was  this  :  he  condoled  with  me  and  my  wife  in  our  mis 
fortune,  and  assured  us  that  no  matter  what  business  he  might  be 
engaged  in,  he  would  come  ;  and  he  was  truly  sorry  that  I  supposed 
that  he  would  take  part  in  the  prosecution  of  the  son  of  a  friend  of 
his.  I  had  offered  him  a  fee,  and  in  that  letter  he  also  said  that  he 
knew  of  no  act  of  his  life  that  would  justify  me  in  supposing  that  he 
would  take  money  from  me  or  any  dear  friend  for  assisting  in  the 
defence  of  the  life  of  a  child.  I  give  this  as  a  proof  of  his  friend- 


LIFE  OF  ABRAHAM  LINCOLN.  17 

ship  ;  and  that  friendship  has  been  cherished  by  me  through  all 
mutations  of  life.  In  politics  we  have  ever  been  opposed  ;  but  I 
thank  God  to-day  that -he  always  was  my  friend." 

Meantime,  in  the  year  1842,  Lincoln  married  a  woman 
worthy  to  be  the  companion  of  his  progress  towards  honor  and 
distinction.  Miss  Mary  Todd,  who  became  his  wife,  is  the 
daughter  of  Robert  Todd,  of  Lexington,  Kentucky,  a  man  well 
known  in  that  State,  and  at  one  period  the  clerk  of  the  lower 
house  of  Congress.  At  the  time  of  her  marriage,  Miss  Todd 
was  the  belle  of  Springfield  society — accomplished  and  intellec 
tual,  and  possessing  all  the  social  graces  native  in  the  women 
of  Kentucky. 

The  fruit  of  their  Union  were  four  sons — Robert  Lincoln, 
now  a  captain  on  General  Grant's  staff,  born  in  1843;  a  second 
son,  born  in  1846,  and  William,  born  in  1850,  both  of  whom 
are  dead;  and  Thaddeus,  born  in  1853,  who  stands  beside  his 
illustrious  father  in  the  last  photograph  taken  of  the  President. 

It  gives  some  idea  of  the  prominence  of  Mr.  Lincoln  in  Illi 
nois,  that,  though  elected  to  the  Legislature  only  in  1 834,  he 
was  a  Whig  candidate  for  Presidential  electors  at  every  elec 
tion  from  1836  to  1*52.  An  early  and  warm  admirer  of  Henry 
Clay,  he  came  forward,  in  1844,  and  stumped  the  entire  State 
of  Illinois  in  his  favor,  and  then  crossed  into  Indiana,  attract 
ing  attention  by  the  homely  force,  humor,  energy,  and  eloquence 
of  his  addresses.  Thus  thrown  again  into  active  politics,  he 
was  elected  to  Congress  in  1846,  from  the  Central  District  of 
Illinois,  by  a  majority  of  1,500,  being  the  only  Whig  member 
from  the  State. 

Called  now  into  the  great  council  of  the  nation,  Mr.  Lincoln 
took  his  seat  among  great  men.  In  the  Senate,  Clay,  Calhoun, 
Webster,  Benton,  still  shaped  the  destinies  and  restrained  the 
passions  of  men  ;  and  men  of  great  ability  stood  forth  in  the 
lower  House.  Mr.  Lincoln  was  opposed  to  the  annexation  of 
Texas  and  to  the  Mexican  war.  Deeming  unfounded  the  asser 
tion  of  President  Polk,  that  American  blood  had  been  shed  on 
American  soil,  he  offered,  on  the  22d  of  December,  the  fol 
lowing  resolution  :— 

"  Whereas,  the  President  of  the  United  States,  in  his  Message  of 
May  11,  1846,  has  declared  that  'the  Mexican  government  refused 


18  LINCOLN  MEMORIAL. 

to  receive  him  [the  envoy  of  the  United  States] ,  or  listen  to  his  prop 
ositions,  but,  after  a  long-continued  series  of  menaces,  have  at  last 
invaded  our  territory,  and  shed  the  blood  of  our  fellow-citizens  on 
our  own  soiV 

"And  again,  in  his  Message  of  December  8,  1846,  that  'we  had 
ample  cause  of  war  against  Mexico  long  before  the  breaking  out  of 
hostilities  ;  but  even  then  we  forbore  to  take  redress  into  our  own 
hands,  until  Mexico  basely  became  the  aggressor,  by  invading  our 
soil  in  hostile  array,  and  shedding  the  blood  of  our  citizens/ 

"And  yet  again,  in  his  Message  of  December  7,  1847,  '  The  Mexi 
can  government  refused  even  to  hear  the  terms  of  adjustment  which 
he  (our  minister  of  peace)  was  authorized  to  propose,  and  finally, 
under  wholly  unjustifiable  pretexts,  involved  the  two  countries  ,in 
war,  by  invading  the  Territory  of  the  State  of  Texas,  striking  the 
first  blow,  and  shedding  the  blood  of  our  citizens  on  our  own  soil.1 

"And  whereas  this  House  is  desirous  to  obtain  a  full  knowledge 
of  all  the  facts  which  go  to  establish  whether  the  particular  spot  on 
which  the  blood  of  our  citizens  was  so  shed,  was,  or  was  not,  at  that 
time,  our  own  soil.  Therefore, 

"Resolved,  by  the  House  of  Representatives,  That  the  President  of 
the  United  States  be  respectfully  requested  to  inform  this  House — 

"  1st.  Whether  the  spot  on  which  the  blood  of  our  citizens  was 
shed,  as  in  his  memorial  declared,  was,  or  was  not,  within  the  ter 
ritory  of  Spain,  at  least,  after  the  treaty  of  1819,  until  the  Mexican 
revolution. 

"  2d.  Whether  that  spot  is,  or  is  not,  within  the  territory  which 
was  wrested  from  Spain  by  the  revolutionary  government  of  Mexico. 

"  3d.  Whether  that  spot  is,  or  is  not,  within  a  settlement  of  people, 
which  settlement  has  existed  ever  since  long  before  the  Texas  revo 
lution,  and  until  its  inhabitants  fled  before  the  approach  of  the 
United  States  Army. 

"  4th.  Whether  that  settlement  is,  or  is  not,  isolated  from  any  and 
all  other  settlements  of  the  Gulf  and  Rio  Grande  on  the  south  and 
west,  and  of  wide  uninhabited  regions  on  the  north  and  east. 

"  5th.  Whether  the  people  of  that  settlement,  or  a  majority  of 
them,  have  ever  submitted  themselves  to  the  government  or  laws 
of  Texas,  or  of  the  United  States,  of  consent  or  of  compulsion,  either 
of  accepting  office  or  voting  at  elections,  or  paying  taxes,  or  serv 
ing  on  juries,  or  having  process  served  on  them,  or  in  any  other  way. 

"6th.  Whether  the  people  of  that  settlement  did,  or  did  not,  flee 
at  the  approaching  of  the  United  States  Army,  leaving  unprotected 
their  homes  and  their  growing  crops  before  the  blood  was  shed,  as 
in  the  message  stated;  and  whether  the  first  blood  so  shed  was,  o; 


LIFE  OF  ABRAHAM  LINCOLN,  19 

was  not,  shed  within  the  inclosure  of  one  of  the  people  who  had 
thus  fled  from  it. 

"  7th.  Whether  our  citizens  whose  blood  was  shed,  as  in  his  mes 
sage  declared,  were,  or  were  not,  at  that  time,  armed  officers  and 
soldiers  sent  into  that  settlement  by  the  military  order  of  the  Presi 
dent,  through  the  Secretary  of  War. 

"  8th.  Whether  the  military  force  of  the  United  States  was,  or  was 
not,  so  sent  into  that  settlement  after  General  Taylor  had  more  than 
once  intimated  to  the  War  Department  that,  in  his  opinion,  no  such 
movement  was  necessary  to  the  defence  or  protection  of  Texas." 

These  resolutions  sufficiently  evince  Mr.  Lincoln's  sense  of 
justice.  He  was  accused  afterwards  of  siding  with  the  enemy 
in  the  war.  He  opposed  the  war  as  unjust ;  but  it  was  a  war 
of  the  country,  and  it  was  equally  just  that  the  country  should 
pay  the  soldiers  called  to  the  field ;  and  Mr.  Lincoln  never  voted 
against,  or  avoided  voting  for,  any  bill  for  army  pay  or  supplies 
or  the  relief  of  the  soldiers. 

When,  in  1848,  Mr.  Gott,  of  New  York,  introduced  a  resolu 
tion  instructing  the  Committee  on  the  District  of  Columbia  to 
report  a  bill  for  the  abolition  of  the  slave-trade  in  the  District, 
Mr.  Lincoln,  after  consulting  Mayor  Seaton,  of  Washington, 
proposed,  on  the  10th  of  January,  that  the  committee  should 
be  instructed  to  report  a  bill  forbidding  the  sale,  beyond  the 
District  of  Columbia,  of  any  slave  born  within  its  limits,  or  the 
removal  of  slaves  from  the  District,  except  such  servants  as  were 
in  attendance  upon  their  masters  temporarily  residing  at  Wash 
ington  ;  establishing  an  apprenticeship  of  twenty-one  years  for 
all  slaves  born  within  the  District  subsequent  to  the  year  1850 ; 
providing  for  their  emancipation  at  the  expiration  of  the  ap 
prenticeship  ;  authorizing  the  United  States  to  buy  and  eman 
cipate  all  slaves  within  the  District,  whose  owners  should  de 
sire  to  set  them  free  in  that  manner ;  finally,  submitting  the 
bill  to  a  vote  of  the  citizens  of  the  District  for  approval. 

The  Wilmot  proviso  had  made  its  appearance  in  August, 
1847,  during  the  previous  session,  but  frequently  came  up  in. 
that  on  which  Mr.  Lincoln  served.  He  steadily  supported  it, 
and,  as  he  said  in  one  of  his  debates  with  Judge  Douglas,  "  had 
the  pleasure  of  voting  for  it,  in  one  way  or  another,  about  forty 
times," 

Mr.  Lincoln  was  a  member  of  the  Philadelphia  convention 


20  LINCOLN  MEMORIAL. 

which  nominated  General  Taylor  for  President,  in-  1848,  and, 
during  the  campaign,  visited  the  East,  speaking  at  New  Bed 
ford  and  elsewhere.  Illinois  gave  her  vote,  however,  to  General 
Cass.  In  1849,  Mr.  Lincoln  retired  from  Congress,  where  he 
had  always  maintained  a  dignified  and  respectable  position. 
He  was  the  unsuccessful  candidate  for  United  States  Senator, 
General  Shields  having  been  elected. 

After  his  retirement  from  Congress,  Mr.  Lincoln  devoted  him 
self,  with  greater  earnestness  than  ever  before,  to  the  duties  of 
his  profession,  and  extended  his  business  and  repute.  He  did 
not  reappear  in  the  political  arena  until  1852,  when  his  name 
was  placed  on  the  Scott  electoral  ticket. 

In  the  canvass  of  that  year,  so  disastrous  to  the  Whig  party 
throughout  the  country,  Lincoln  appeared  several  times  before 
the  people  of  his  State  as  the  advocate  of  Scott's  claims  for  the 
Presidency,  But  the  prospect  was  everywhere  so  dishearten 
ing,  and  in  Illinois  the  cause  was  so  utterly  desperate,  that  the 
energies  of  the  Whigs  were  paralyzed,  and  Lincoln  did  less  in  this 
Presidential  struggle  than  in  any  in  which  he  had  ever  engaged. 

During  that  lethargy  which  preceded  the  dissolution  of  his 
party,  he  had  almost  relinquished  political  aspirations.  Suc 
cessful  in  his  profession,  happy  in  his  home,  secure  in  the  affec 
tion  of  his  neighbors,  with  books,  competence,  and  leisure, 
ambition  could  not  tempt  him. 

When  the  term  of  General  Shields  as  Senator  from  Illinois 
expired  in  1854,  a  close  contest  ensued  in  the  State  legislature 
on  the  choice  of  his  successor.  The  Whig  party  was  fast  melt 
ing  away,  and  the  new  Republican  party  had  not  yet  assumed 
form.  Mr.  Lincoln  was  again  a  candidate  for  the  Senate,  but 
as  some  anti-Nebraska  Democrats  adhered  to  Mr.  Trumbull, 
Mr.  Lincoln  gave  way  in  his  usual  unselfish  spirit,  viewing  the 
choice  of  Mr.  Trumbull  more  safe  than  that  of  some  less  de 
cided  man. 

It  was  in  the  same  spirit  that  he  declined  the  nomination  for 
Governor,  when  tendered  by  the  anti-Nebraska  Democrats :  he 
felt  that  as  an  old  Whig  campaigner  he  was  necessarily  still  an 
object  of  antagonism,  and  till  the  old  party  lines  disappeared, 
&ome  men  who  had  mingled  less  prominently  in  the  arena  of 
political  strife,  would  be  more  certain  of  success.  Governor 
Bissell  was  then  nominated  and  elected. 


LIFE  OF  ABRAHAM  ^INCOLUj.  21 

When  the  Republican  party  finally  took  shape,  and  met  in 
convention  to  nominate  its  candidates  for  the  Presidency  and 
Vice-Presidency,  Abraham  Lincoln  stood  so  high  that  he  was 
one  of  those  at  once  proposed,  and  received  one  hundred  and 
two  votes  for  the  second  office.  He  stood  at  the  head  of  the 
Fremont  electoral  ticket  of  Illinois,  and  labored  for  the  success 
of  that  candidate,  although  the  country  was  not  yet  prepared 
to  adopt  the  Republican  doctrines. 

In  1858  it  was  determined  in  Illinois  to  give  the  senatorial 
question  the  form  of  a  contest  by  electing  a  Legislature  pledged 
either  to  Douglas  or  Lincoln.  A.  most  extraordinary  canvass 
then  ensued.  The  two  candidates  stumped  the  State,  and  at 
last  came  into  the  presence  of  each  other,  giving  the  contest  all 
the  interest  of  direct  personal  debate. 

Mr.  Lincoln's  first  speech  w^as  made  at  Springfield  on  the 
17th  of  June,  before  the  State  convention  which  nominated 
him. 

The  reply  made  by  Douglas  to  this  speech  was  on  the  occa-: 
sion  of  his  reception  at  Chicago  in  the  July  following.  Lin 
coln  was  present,  and  spoke  in  the  same  city  on  the  next  day. 
Two  more  great  speeches  by  Douglas,  and  one  more  speech  by 
Lincoln  Vere  made  before  they  entered  the  lists  in  debate. 

In  one  of  those  speeches.  Douglas  found  occasion — for  he 
was  then  addressing  Lincoln's  old  friends  at  Springfield — to 
pay  his  tribute  to  the  worth  and  greatness  of  his  opponent : 

"  You  all  know  that  I  am  an  amiable,  good-natured  man, 
and  I  take  great  pleasure  in  bearing  testimony  to  the  fact  that 
Mr.  Lincoln  is  a  kind-hearted,  amiable,  good-natured  gentle 
man,  with  whom  no  man  has  a  right  to  pick  a  quarrel,  even  if 
he  wanted  one.  He  is  a  worthy  gentleman.  I  have  known 
him  for  twenty-five  years,  and  there  is  no  better  citizen,  and  no 
kinder-hearted  man.  He  is  a  fine  lawyer,  possesses  high  abil 
ity,  and  there  is  no  objection  to  him,  except  the  monstrous 
revolutionary  doctrines  with  which  he  is  identified." 

On  the  24th  of  July,  Lincoln  wrote  to  Douglas  proposing 
debates. 

The  challenge  was  accepted,  and  seven  debates  followed,  at 
Ottawa,  Freeport,  Jonesboro',  Charleston,  Galesburg,  Quincy, 
and  Alton.  These  are  unsurpassed  in  our  campaign  annals  for 
eloquence,  ability,  adroitness,  or  comprehensiveness.  Mr.  Doug- 


22  ,       LINCOLN  MEMORIAL. 

las  represented  the  moderate  Democracy,  and  Mr.  Lincoln  the 
new  Republicanism.  The  standing  of  the  two  men,  antago 
nists  well  matched,  and  soon  to  be  rival  candidates  on  a  wider 
field, — the  one  more  polished,  courtier-like,  adroit ;  the  other 
solid,  earnest,  clear-headed  and  persuasive, — gave  their  words  no 
ordinary  effect  on  the  minds  of  men. 

Mr.  Lincoln  was  now  fully  roused,  and  during  the  canvass 
made  more  than  fifty  speeches  in  other  parts  of  Illinois,  till  the 
State  fairly  shook  with  excitement.  The  result,  while  it  showed 
the  great  influence  of  Mr.  Lincoln,  proved  that  many  still  hesi 
tated.  Mr.  Douglas  was  elected  to  the  Senate  by  a  small  ma 
jority,  effected,  his  opponents  claimed,  by  the  unfair  districting 
of  the  State.  Mr.  Lincoln  thought  more  of  the  cause  than  of 
personal  success.  Being  now  in  the  field  he  extended  his  tour 
to  other  States,  following  Judge  Douglas  to  Ohio,  and  in  Kan 
sas  exciting  hearty  applause.  A  speech  on  National  Policy  at 
the  Cooper  Institute,  New  York,  brought  him  before  the  Re 
publicans  of  that  city. 

The  National  Convention  of  1860,  called  by  the  party  whose 
interests  he  considered  those  of  right  and  justice,  was  convened 
on  the  16th  of  May,  in  the  Wigwam,  an  immense  structure 
erected  at  Chicago.  Governor  Morgan,  of  New  York,  called 
to  order,  and  George  Ashmun,  of  Massachusetts,  was  chosen 
permanent  president.  It  soon  became  evident  that  the  dele 
gates  of  the  Republican  party  from  all  parts  of  the  Union, 
came  prepared  to  select  for  the  nomination  to  the  Presidency, 
one  of  two  men,  the  experienced  and  polished  William  H. 
Seward,  of  New  York,  or  the  homely,  clear-headed  pioneer  of 
the  West,  Abraham  Lincoln,  of  Illinois.  On  the  first  ballot 
Seward  received  173  votes  and  Lincoln  102  ;  on  the  second 
Seward  received  184  and  Lincoln  181,  but  a  third  ballot  showed 
that  Mr.  Seward's  friends  yielded  .the  contest.  Mr.  Lincoln 
received  231  votes,  and  on  motion  of  W.  M.  Evarts,  of  New 
York,  the  nomination  was  made  unanimous. 

Mr.  Lincoln  was  at  Springfield  at  the  time,  and  when  the 
message  was  brought  from  the  telegraph  office,  showed  little 
exultation,  but  simply  remarking  that  there  was  a  little  woman 
at  his  house  who  would  be  glad  to  hear  the  news,  went  to  the 
quiet  residence,  which  was  soon  to  be  made  familiar  to  all 
throughout  the  land. 


LIFE  OF  ABRAHAM  LINCOLN.  23 

The  next  day  the  excursion  train  arrived  in  Chicago  with  a 
large  number  of  delegates,  and  the  Committee  appointed  by  the 
Convention  to  make  Lincoln  officially  acquainted  with  his  nom 
ination. 

The  deputation  was  received  at  Mr.  Lincoln's  house,  and  when 
the  guests  had  assembled  in  the  parlor,  Mr.  Ashmun,  the  Presi 
dent  of  the  Convention,  said  : 

"  I  have,  sir,  the  honor  in  behalf  of  the  gentlemen  who  are  pres 
ent,  a  Committee  appointed  by  the  Republican  Convention,  recently 
assembled  at  Chicago,  to  discharge  a  most  pleasant  duty.  We  have 
come,  sir,  under  a  vote  of  instructions  to  that  Committee,  to  notify 
you  that  you  have  been  selected  by  the  Convention  of  the  Republi 
cans  at  Chicago,  for  President  of  the  United  States.  They  instruct 
us,  sir,  to  notify  you  of  that  selection,  and  that  Committee  deem  it 
riot  only  respectful  to  yourself,  but  appropriate  to  the  important 
matter  which  they  have  in  hand,  that  they  should  come  in  person, 
and  present  to  you  the  authentic  evidence  of  the  action  of  the  Con 
vention  ;  and,  sir,  without  any  phrase  which  shall  either  be  considered 
personally  plauditory  to  yourself,  or  which  shall  have  any  reference 
to  the  principles-  involved  in  the  questions  which  are  connected 
with  your  nomination,  I  desire  to  present  to  you  the  letter  which  has 
been  prepared,  and  which  informs  you  of  the  nomination,  and  with 
it  the  platform,  resolutions,  and  sentiments  which  the  Convention 
adopted.  Sir,  at  your  convenience  we  shall  be  glad  to  receive 
from  you  such  a  response  as  it  may  be  your  pleasure  to  give  us." 

To  this  address  Mr.  Lincoln  listened  with  grave  attention,  and 
replied : 

"  MR.  CHAIRMAN  AND  GENTLEMEN  OF  THE  COMMITTEE  : 

"  I  tender  to  you,  and  through  you  to  the  Republican  National 
Convention,  and  all  the  people  represented  in  it,  my  profoundest 
thanks  for  the  high  honor  done  me,  which  you  now  formally  an 
nounce.  Deeply,  and  even  painfully  sensible  of  the  great  responsi 
bility  which  is  inseparable  from  this  high  honor — a  responsibility 
which  I  could  almost  wish  had  fallen  upon  some  one  of  the  far  more 
eminent  men  and  experienced  statesmen  whose  distinguished  names 
were  before  the  Convention — I  shall,  by  your  leave,  consider  more 
fully  the  resolutions  of  the  Convention  denominated  the  platform, 
and  without  unnecessary  or  unreasonable  delay,  respond  to  you,  Mr. 
Chairman,  in  writing,  not  doubting  that  the  platform  will  be  found 
satisfactory,  and  the  nomination  gratefully  accepted. 


24  LINCOLN  MEMORIAL. 

"  And  now  I  will  not  longer  defer  the  pleasure  of  taking  you,  and 
each  of  you,  by  the  hand."  ', 

Mr.  Lincoln  subsequently  accepted  the  nomination  in  this 
formal  letter : 

"  SPRINGFIELD,  ILLINOIS,  May  23,  1860. 
"  HON.  GEORGE  ASHMUN, 

'  President  of  the  Republican  National  Convention : 
"Sir:  I  accept  the  nomination  tendered  me  by  the  Convention 
over  which  you  presided,  of  which  I  am  formally  apprized  in  the 
letter  of  yourself  and  others  acting  as  a  Committee  of  the  Conven 
tion  for  that  purpose.  The  declaration  of  principles  and  sentiments 
which  accompanies  your  letter  meets  my  approval,  and  it  shall  be 
my  care  not  to  violate  it,  or  disregard  it  in  any  part. 

"  Imploring  the  assistance  of  Divine  Providence,  and  with  due  re 
gard  to  the  views  and  feelings  of  all  who  were  represented  in  the 
Convention,  to  the  rights  of  all  the  states  and  territories  and  peo 
ple  of  the  nation,  to  the  inviolability  of  the  Constitution,  and  the 
perpetual  union,  harmony,  and  prosperity  of  all,  I  am  most  happy 
to  co-operate  for  the  practical  success  of  the  principles  declared  by 
the  Convention. 

"Your  obliged  friend  and  fellow-citizen, 

"ABRAHAM  LINCOLN." 

Emerson  in  his  eloquent  remarks,  given  in  full  in  this  volume, 
expresses  well  the  despondency  felt  in  the  East  on  the  announce 
ment  of  Mr.  Lincoln's  nomination.  To  them  he  was  an  almost 
unknown,  an  unprepossessing  man,  apparently  ill-fitted  for 
the  gravest  crisis  of  American  history.  There  was  little  in  him 
to  excite  enthusiasm,  but  the  party  took  up  the  ticket  with  zeal, 
and  Mr.  Lincoln  stood  before  the  people  as  a  candidate  for  the 
Presidency.  His  party  selected  as  their  nominee  for  the  Vice- 
Presidency,  Hannibal  Hamlin,  a  Senator  from  Maine.  The 
Democratic  party  was  rent  in  twain.  The  violence  of  Southern 
leaders,  the  imperiousness  of  their  demands,  and  the  manifest 
determination  on  their  part  to  drive  matters  to  a  point  where 
no  solution  but  civil  war  was  possible,  had  alarmed  many  life- 
ong  Democrats.  A  strong  party  rallied  round  Judge  Douglas, 
of  Illinois,  believing  that  a  moderate  policy  might  yet  secure 
under  a  Democratic  President  that  return  to  calmness  and  rea 
son,  which  was  necessary  for  a  compromise  between  the  ex 
treme  elements  agitating  the  country.  But  the  action  of  the 


LIFE  OF  ABRAHAM  LINCOLN.  25 

extreme  Southern  men  broke  up  the  Democratic  convention  at 
Charleston,  and  the  delegates  forming  two  different  bodies,  sev 
erally  adopted  platforms  and  nominated  candidates.  Stephen 
A.  Douglas  was  the  nominee  of  the  moderate,  with  Herschell 
Y.  Johnson  as  candidate  for  Vice-President,  while  John  C. 
Breckenridge,  actually  Yice-President  of  the  United  States,  was 
the  extreme  Southern  candidate  for  the  Presidency,  with  Mr. 
Lane,  of  Oregon.  As  though  this  were  not  sufficient  diversity, 
a  fourth  ticket  was  presented  in  the  vain  hope  of  healing  dissen 
sions,  and  under  the  name  of  the  Union  ticket  offered  to  the  votes 
of  the  people  the  names  of  John  Bell,  of  Tennessee,  for  Presi 
dent,  and  Edward  Everett,  of  Massachusetts,  for  Yice-President. 

Never  had  the  country  seen  an  election  which  excited  more 
general  interest  or  deeper  feeling.  The  result,  however,  was 
not  doubtful.  The  Kepublicans  were  enthusiastic,  organized, 
hopeful ;  the  Democratic  party  rent  in  twain,  was  of  course  dis 
pirited,  and  the  Southern  section  seemed  to  court  the  defeat, 
whose  certainty  they  had  contrived,  as  a  pretext  for  a  move 
ment  already  planned. 

The  Republicans,  forming  a  body  of  nearly  two  millions  of  vo 
ters,  carried  for  Mr.  Lincoln  the  States  of  Maine,  New  Hampshire, 
Yermont,  Massachusetts,  Rhode  Island,  Connecticut,  New  York, 
Pennsylvania,  Ohio,  Indiana,  Illinois,  Michigan,  Iowa,  "Wiscon 
sin,  Minnesota,  and  California,  comprising  all  the  free  States, 
except  New  Jersey,  which  gave  four  votes  to  Mr.  Lincoln  and 
three  to  Mr.  Douglas.  Mr.  Breckenridge  received  the  electoral 
vote  of  all  the  slave  States,  except  Kentucky,  Tennessee,  and 
Yirginia,  which  voted  for  Bell.  Douglas,  once  so  popular,  re 
ceived  only  the  vote  of  Missouri,  and,  as  we  have  seen,  part  of 
that  of  New  Jersey,  although  his  popular  vote  was  nearly  half 
a  million  more  than  that  of  Mr.  Breckenridge. 

Thus  was  Mr.  Lincoln  chosen  on  the  6th  of  November,  1860, 
President  of  the  United  States,  receiving  in  the  electoral  col 
lege  180  votes,  representing  sixteen  States  and  1,857,610  votes. 
To  his  election  there  existed  no  constitutional  objection.  His 
antagonist,  Mr.  Breckenridge,  since  a  rebel  general  and  Secre 
tary  of  War,  declared  officially,  as  Yice-President  of  the  United 
States,  that  Abraham  Lincoln  was  lawfully  elected  President  of 
the  United  States. 

Here,  in  a  manner,  the  history  of  his  Administration  begins. 


26  LINCOLN  MEMORIAL. 

The  State  of  South  Carolina,  the  very  day  after  choosing  elec 
tors,  passed  an  act  calling  a  Convention,  and  openly  announced 
its  determination  not  to  submit  to  the  election.  How  rapidly 
they  followed  up  their  determination  by  action,  we  need  not 
detail  here.  While  Mr.  Lincoln  awaited  at  Springfield  the 
moment  when  he  should  proceed  to  Washington  to  enter  on  the 
duties  of  his  office,  the  Southern  States,  unchecked,  unimpeded, 
were  seizing  the  arsenals,  forts,  custom-houses,  navy  yards,  mints, 
and  other  property  of  the  General  Government,  forming  a  Con 
federacy,  adopting  a  Constitution,  and  proceeding  to  the  choice 
of  a  President  and  Yice-President. 

On  the  11  th  of  February,  Mr.  Lincoln  left  his  home  in  Spring 
field.  He  could  not  conceal  from  himself  the  terrible  task  be 
fore  him.  To  him  the  office  of  President  was  not  to  be  one  of 
quiet  routine.  In  a  few  days,  States  that  took  part  in  the  late 
election,  would  have  chosen  a  President  who  would  claim  au 
thority  over  nearly  half  the  land,  prepared  to  uphold  that  claim 
by  force  of  arms.  Impressed  with  the  solemnity  of  the  occasion, 
he  bade  farewell  to  his  friends  and  neighbors  in  these  words, 
which,  read  at  the  present  time,  have  indeed  a  mournful  interest : 

"  MY  FRIENDS  :  No  one  not  in  my  position  can  appreciate  the  sad 
ness  I  feel  at  this  parting.  To  this  people  I  owe  all  that  I  am. 
Here  I  have  lived  more  than  a  quarter  of  a  century;  here  my  chil 
dren  were  born,  and  here  one  of  them  lies  buried.  I  know  not  how 
soon  I  shall  see  you  again.  A  duty  devolves  upon  me  which  is, 
perhaps,  greater  than  that  which  has  devolved  upon  any  other  man 
since  the  days  of  Washington.  He  never  would  have  succeeded 
except  for  the  aid  of  Divine  Providence,  upon  which  he  at  all  times 
relied.  I  feel  that  I  cannot  succeed  without  the  same  Divine  aid 
which  sustained  him,  and  on  the  same.  Almighty  Being  I  place  my 
reliance  for  support;  and  I  hope  you,  my  friends,  will  all  pray  that 
I  may  receive  that  Divine  assistance,  without  which  I  cannot  suc 
ceed,  but  with  which  success  is  certain.  Again  I  bid  you  all  an 
affectionate  farewell." 

On  the  13th,  he  reached  Columbus,  where  he  was  formally 
welcomed  in  the  Hall  of  the  Assembly,  at  the  State  Capitol,  by 
Lieutenant -Governor  Kirk,  on  behalf  of  the  Legislature.  At 
this  imposing  reception  he  justified  the  silence  which  he  had 
observed  as  to  his  policy,  and  again  expressed  his  sense  of  the 
importance  of  the  moment. 


LIFE  OF  ABRAHAM  LINCOLN.  27 

He  was  received  enthusiastically  at  the  different  large  cities 
on  his  route,  and  spoke  freely  on  the  various  points  of  public 
policy  likely  to  arise,  impressing  all  with  a  sense  of  his  upright 
ness,  fairness,  and  desire  to  administer  the  Government  with 
firmness.  Of  ,the  South  he  spoke  in  terms  of  conciliation,  be 
lieving,  and  wishing  all  to  believe,  that  the  Southern  movement 
would  soon  die  of  itself. 

At  Philadelphia,  the  President  elect  visited  Independence 
Hall,  and  in  those  walls,  still  echoing  with  the  voices  of  the 
great  patriot  founders  of  the  Republic,  he  was  escorted  to  a 
platform  prepared  for  the  purpose,  and  after  a  few  words  of 
patriotic  devotion  to  the  flag,  affirming  that  to  his  deliberate 
convictions  of  principle  he  must  adhere,  even  if  assassination 
were  his  fate,  he  raised  the  Stars  and  Stripes,  amid  the  plaudits 
of  thousands  and  the  thunder  of  artillery. 

At  Ilarrisburg,  information  was  brought  to  him  that  his  life 
was  to  be  attempted,  as  he  passed  through  Baltimore,  and  he 
took  an  earlier  train  to  baffle  the  plot.  Many  at  the  time  treated 
this  as  an  idle  fear ;  but  the  evidence  is  beyond  all  dispute. 
Threats  had  been  current  that  he  would  never  live  to  be  in 
augurated,  and  during  his  journey  an  attempt  was  made  to 
throw  the  train  off  the  track,  on  the  Toledo  and  Western  Rail 
road,  and  a  hand-grenade  was  found  concealed  in  the  train  in 
which  hie  left  Cincinnati. 

In  Washington,  preparations,  such  as  were  possible,  were 
made,  to  prevent  any  act  of  violence  on  the  day  of  inaugura 
tion.  A  large  military  force  was  in  attendance,  under  the  im 
mediate  command  of  General  Scott,  but  nothing  occurred  to 
interrupt  the  harmony  of  the  occasion.  Mr.  Lincoln  proceeded 
to  the  Capitol  with  Mr.  Buchanan,  whose  term  of  office  expired, 
and  the  ceremony  of  inauguration  took  place,  March  4th,  1861, 
in  front  of  the  Capitol,  in  presence  of  an  immense  multitude. 

His  inaugural  address,  delivered  before  taking  the  oath  of 
office  administered  by  Chief-Justice  Taney,  who  thus  lived  to 
swear  into  their  high  position  ten  successive  Presidents,  was  in 
these  words: — 

"  FELLOW-CITIZENS  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES: 

"  In  compliance  with  a  custom  as  old  as  the  Government  itself,  I 
appear  before  you  .to  address  you  briefly,  and  to  take,  in  your  pres 
ence,  the*oath  prescribed  by  the  Constitution  of  the  United  States 


28  LINCOLN  MEMORIAL. 

to  be  taken  by  the  President,  before  he  enters  on  the  execution  of 
his  office. 

"  I  do  not  consider  it  necessary,  at  present,  for  me  to  discuss  those 
matters  of  administration  about  which  there  is  no'  special  anxiety 
or  excitement.  Apprehension  seems  to  exist  among  the  people  of 
the  Southern  States,  that,  by  the  accession  of  a  Republican  Admin 
istration,  their  property  and  their  peace  and  personal  security  are 
to  be  endangered.  There  has  never  been  any  reasonable  cause  for 
such  apprehension.  Indeed  the  most  ample  evidence  to  the  con 
trary  has  all  the  while  existed,  and  been  open  to  their  inspection. 
It  is  found  in  nearly  all  the  published  speeches  of  him  who  now  ad 
dresses  .you.  I  do  but  quote  from  one  of  those  speeches  when  I  de 
clare  that  '  I  have  no  purpose,  directly  or  indirectly,  to  interfere  with 
the  institution  of  slavery  in  the  States  where  it  exists.'  I  believe 
1  have  no  lawful  right  to  do  so;  and  I  have  no  inclination  to  do  so. 
Those  who  nominated  and  elected  me,  did  so  with  the  full  knowl 
edge  that  I  had  made  this,  and  made  many  similar  declarations, 
arid  had  never  recanted  them.  And  more  than  this,  they  placed  in 
the  platform,  for  my  acceptance,  and  as  a  law  to  themselves  and  to 
me,  the  clear  and  emphatic  resolution  which  I  now  read: — 

"  'Resolved,  That  the  maintenance  inviolate  of  the  rights  of  the 
States,  and  especially  the  right  of  each  State  to  order  and  control 
its  own  domestic  institutions  according  to  its  own  judgment  exclu 
sively,  is  essential  to  that  balance  of  power  on  which  the  perfection 
and  endurance  of  our  political  fabric  depend;  and  we  denounce  the 
lawless  invasion  by  armed  force  of  the  soil  of  any  State  or  Terri 
tory,  no  matter  under  what  pretext,  as  among  the  gravest  of 
crimes.' 

"  I  now  reiterate  these  sentiments;  and  in  doing  so  I  only  press 
upon  the  public  attention  the  most  conclusive  evidence  of  which  the 
case  is  susceptible,  that  the  property,  peace,  and  security  of  no 
section  are  to  be  in  anywise  endangered  by  the  now  incoming  Ad 
ministration. 

"  I  add,  too,  that  all  the  protection  which,  consistently  with  the 
Constitution  and  the  laws,  can  be  given,  will  be  cheerfully  given  to 
all  the  States  when  lawfully  demanded,  for  whatever  cause,  as 
cheerfully  to  one  section  as  to  another. 

"  There  is  much  controversy  about  the  delivering  up  of  fugitives 
from  service  or  labor.  The  clause  I  now  read  is  as  plainly  written 
in  the  Constitution  as  any  other  of  its  provisions : — 

"  '  No  person  held  to  service  or  labor  in  one  State,  under  the  laws 
thereof,  escaping  into  another,  shall,  in  consequence  of  any  law  or 
regulation  therein,  be  discharged  from  such  service  or  labor,  but 


LIFE  OF  ABRAHAM  LINCOLN.  29 

shall  be  delivered  up  on  claim  of  the  party  to  whom  such  service  or 
labor  may  be  due.' 

"  It  is  scarcely  questioned  that  this  provision  was  intended  by 
those  who  made  it  for  the  reclaiming  of  what  we  call  fugitive  slaves; 
and  the  intention  of  the  lawgiver  is  the  law. 

"  All  members  of  Congress  swear  their  support  to  the  whole  Con 
stitution — to  this  provision  as  well  as  any  other.  To  the  proposi 
tion,  then,  that  slaves  whose  cases  come  within  the  terms  of  this 
clause,  '  shall  be  delivered  up/  their  oaths  are  unanimous.  Now,  if 
they  would  make  the  effort  in  good  temper,  could  they  not,  with 
nearly  equal  unanimity,  frame  and  pass  a  law  by  means  of  which 
to  keep  good  that  unanimous  oath  ? 

"There  is  some  difference  of  opinion  whether  this  clause  should 
be  enforced  by  national  or  by  State  authority;  but  surely  that  dif 
ference  is  not  a  very  material  one.  If  the  slave  is  to  be  surrendered, 
it  can  be  of  but  little  consequence  to  him  or  to  others  by  whicb 
authority  it  is  done;  and  should  any  one,  in  any  case,  be  content 
that  this  oath  shall  go  unkept  on  a  merely  unsubstantial  controversy 
as  to  how  it  shall  be  kept  ? 

"•Again,  in  any  law  upon  this  subject,  ought  not  all  the  safeguards 
of  liberty  known  in  the  civilized  and  humane  jurisprudence  to  be 
introduced,  so  that  a  free  man  be  not,  in  any  case,  surrendered  as  a 
slave  ?  And  might  it  not  be  well,  at  the  same  time,  to  provide  by 
law  for  the  enforcement  of  that  clause  in  the  Constitution,  which 
guarantees  that  '  the  citizens  of  each  State  shall  be  entitled  to  all 
the  privileges  and  immunities  of  citizens  in  the  several  States  ¥ 

11 1  take  the  official  oath  to-day  with  no  mental  reservations,  and 
with  no  purpose  to  construe  the  Constitution  or  laws  by  any  hyper 
critical  rules;  and  while  I  do  not  choose  now  to  specify  particular 
acts  of  Congress  as  proper  to  be  enforced,  I  do  suggest  that  it  will 
be  much  safer  for  all,  both  in  official  and  private  stations,  to  conform 
to  and  abide  by  all  those  acts  which  stand  unrepealed,  than  to  vio 
late  any  of  them,  trusting  to  find  impunity  in  having  them  held  to 
be  unconstitutional. 

"  It  is  seventy-two  years  since  the  first  inauguration  of  a  Presi 
dent  under  our  national  Constitution.  During  that  period,  fifteen 
different  and  very  distinguished  citizens  have,  in  succession,  ad 
ministered  the  executive  branch  of  the  Government.  They  have  con 
ducted  it  through  many  perils,  and  generally  with  great  success. 
Yet,  with  all  this  scope  for  precedent,  I  now  enter  upon  the  same 
task,  for  the  brief  constitutional  term  of  four  years,  under  great  and 
peculiar  difficulties. 

"  A  disruption  of  the  Federal  Union,  heretofore  only  menaced,  is 


30  LINCOLN  MEMORIAL. 

now  formidably  attempted.  I  hold  that  in  the  contemplation  of 
universal  law  and  of  the  Constitution,  the  Union  of  these  States  is 
perpetual.  Perpetuity  is  implied,  if  not  expressed,  in  the  funda 
mental  law  of  all  national  governments.  It  is  safe  to  assert  that 
no  government  proper  ever  had  a  provision  in  its  organic  law  for 
its  own  termination.  Continue  to  execute  all  the  express  provisions 
of  our  national  Constitution,  and  the  Union  will  endure  forever,  it 
being  impossible  to  destroy  it  except  by  some  action  not  provided 
for  in  the  instrument  it'self. 

"  Again,  if  the  United  States  be  not  a  Government  proper,  but  an 
association  of  States  in.  the  nature  of  a  contract  merely,  can  it,  as  a 
contract,  be  peaceably  unmade  by  less  than  all  the  parties  who  made 
it  ?  One  party  to  a  contract  may  violate  it — break  it,  so  to  speak; 
but  does  it  not  require  all  to  lawfully  rescind  it  ?  Descending  from 
these  general  principles,  we  find  the  proposition  that,  in  legal  con 
templation,  the  Union  is  perpetual,  confirmed  by  the  history  of  the 
Union  itself. 

"  The  Union  is  much  older  than  the  Constitution.  It  was  formed, 
in  fact,  by  the  Articles  of  Association,  in  If  74.  It  was  matured  and 
continued  in  the  Declaration  of  Independence,  in  1776.  It  was  fur 
ther  matured,  and  the  faith  of  all  the  then  thirteen  States  expressly 
plighted  and  engaged  that  it  should  be  perpetual,  by  the  Articles 
of  Confederation,  in  1778;  and,  finally,  in  1787,  one  of  the  declared 
objects  for  ordaining  and  establishing  the  Constitution  was  to  form  a 
more  perfect  Union.  *  But  if  the  destruction  of  the  Union  by  one  or  by 
a  part  only  of  the  States  be  lawfully  possible,  the  Union  is  less  than 
before,  the  Constitution  having  lost  the  vital  element  of  perpetuity. 

"  It  follows,  from  these  views,  that  no  State,  upon  its  own  mere 
motion,  can  lawfully  get  out  of  the  Union;  that  resolves  and  ordi 
nances  to  that  effect  are  legally  void;  and  that  acts  of  violence 
within  any  State  or  States  against  the  authority  of  the  United  States 
are  insurrectionary  or  revolutionary,  according  to  circumstances. 

"  I  therefore  consider  that,  in  view  of  the  Constitution  and  the 
laws,  the  Union  is  unbroken,  and  to  the  extent  of  my  ability,  I  shall 
take  care,  as  the  Constitution  itself  expressly  enjoins  upon  me,  that 
the  laws  of  the  Union  shall  be  faithfully  executed  in  all  the  States. 
Doing  this,  which  I  deem  to  be  only  a  simple  duty  on  my  part,  I 
shall  perfectly  perform  it,  so  far  as  is  practicable,  unless  my  right 
ful  masters,  the  American  people,  shall  withhold  the  requisition,  or, 
in  some  authoritative  manner,  direct  the  contrary. 

"  I  trust  this  will  not  be  regarded  as  a  menace,  but  only  as  the 
declared  purpose  of  the  Union  that  it  will  constitutionally  defend 
and  maintain  itself. 


LIFE  OF  ABRAHAM  LINCOLN.  31 

"  In  doing  this  there  need  be  no  bloodshed  or  violence;  and  there 
shall  be  none,  unless  it  is  forced  upon  the  national  authority. 

"  The  power  confided  to  me  will  be  used  to  hold,  occupy,  and  pos 
sess  the  property  and  places  belonging  to  the  Government,  and  collect 
the  duties  and  imposts;, but,  beyond  what  may  be  necessary  for 
these  objects,  there  will  be  no  invasion,  no  using  of  force  against  or 
among  the  people  anywhere. 

"Where  hostility  to  the  United  States'  shall  be  so  great  and  so 
universal  as  to  prevent  competent  resident  citizens  from  holding  the 
Federal  offices,  there  will  be  no  attempt  to  force  obnoxious  strangers 
among  the  people  that  object.  While  strict  legal  right  may  exist 
of  the  Government  to  enforce  the  exercise  of  these  offices,  the  at 
tempt  to  do  so  would  be  so  irritating,  and  so  nearly  impracticable 
withal,  that  I  deem  it  better  to  forego  for  the  time  the  uses  of  such 
offices. 

"  The  mails,  unless  repelled,  will  continue  to  be  furnished  to  all 
parts  of  the  Union. 

"  So  far  as  possible,  the  people  everywhere  shall  have  that  sense 
of  perfect  security  which  is  most  favorable  to  calm  thought-  and 
reflection. 

"  The  course  here  indicated  will  be  followed,  unless  current  events 
and  experience  shall  show  a  modification  or  change  to  be  proper; 
and  in  every  case  and  exigency  my  best  discretion  will  be  exercised 
according  to  the  circumstances  actually  existing,  and  with  a  view 
and  hope  of  a  peaceful  solution  of  the  national  troubles,  and  the 
restoration  of  fraternal  sympathies  and  affections. 

"  That  there  are  persons,  in  one  section  or  another,  who  seek  to 
destroy  the  Union  at  all  events,  and  are  glad  of  any  pretext  to  do 
it,  I  will  neither  affirm  nor  deny.  But  if  there  be  such,  I  need  ad 
dress  no  word  to  them. 

"  To  those,  however,  who  really  love  the  Union,  may  I  not  speak, 
before  entering  upon  so  grave  a  matter,  as  the  destruction  of  our 
national  fabric,  with  all  its  benefits,  its  memories,  and  its  hopes  ? 
Would  it  not  be  well  to  ascertain  why  we  do  it  ?  Will  you  hazard 
so  desperate  a  step,  while  any  portion  of  the  ills  you  fly  from  have 
no  real  existence  ?  Will  you,  while  the  certain  ills  you  fly  to,  are 
greater  than  all  the  real  ones  you  fly  from  ?  Will  you  risk  the  com 
mission  of  so  feeble  a  mistake  ?  All  profess  to  be  content  in  the 
Union  if  all  constitutional  rights  can  be  maintained.  Is  it  true,  then, 
that  any  right,  plainly  written  in  the  Constitution,  has  been  denied  ? 
I  think  not.  Happily  the  human  mind  is  so  constituted,  that  no 
party  can  reach  to  the  audacity  of  doing  this. 

Think,  if  you  can,  of  a  single  instance  in  which  a  plainly-written 


32  LINCOLN  MEMORIAL 

provision  of  the  Constitution  has  ever  been  denied.  If,  by  the  mere 
force  of  numbers,  a  majority  should  deprive  a  minority  of  any  clearly- 
written  constitutional  right,  it  might,  in  a  moral  point  of  view,  justify 
revolution;  it  certainly  would,  if  such  right  were  a  vital  one.  But 
such  is  not  our  case. 

"  All  the  vital  rights  of  minorities  and  of  individuals  are  so  plainly 
assured  to  them  by  affirmations  and  negations,  guarantees  and  pro 
hibitions  in  the  Constitution,  that  controversies  never  rise  concern 
ing  them.  But  no  organic  law  can  ever  be  framed  with  a  provision 
specifically  applicable  to  every  question  which  may  occur  in  prac 
tical  administration.  No  foresight  can  anticipate,  nor  any  docu 
ment  of  reasonable  length  contain,  express  provisions  for  all  possible 
questions.  Shall  fugitives  from  labor  be  surrendered  by  national 
or  by  State  authorities  ?  The  Constitution  does  not  expressly  say. 
Must  Congress  protect  slavery  in  the  Territories  ?  The  Constitution 
does  not  expressly  say.  From  questions  of  this  class  spring  all  our 
constitutional  controversies,  and  we  divide  upon  them  into  majori 
ties  and  minorities. 

"  If  the  minority  will  not  acquiesce,  the  majority  must,  or  the 
Government  must  cease.  There  is  no  alternative  for  continuing  the 
Government  but  acquiescence  on  the  one  side  or  the  other.  If  a 
minority  in  such  a  case  will  secede  rather  than  acquiesce,  they  make 
a  precedent  which,  in  turn,  will  ruin  and  divide  them;  for  a  mi 
nority  of  their  own  will  secede  from  them  whenever  a  majority  re 
fuses  to  be  controlled  by  such  a  minority.  For  instance,  why  not 
any  portion  of  a  new  confederacy,  a  year  or  two  hence,  arbitrarily 
secede  again,  precisely  as  portions  of  the  present  Union  now  claim 
to  secede  from  it  ?  All  who  cherish  disunion  sentiments  are  now 
being  educated  to  the  exact  temper  of  doing  this.  Is  there  such 
perfect  identity  of  interests  among  the  States  to  compose  a  new 
Union  as  to  produce  harmony  only,  and  prevent  renewed  secession  ? 
Plainly,  the  central  idea  of  secession  is  the  essence  of  anarchy. 

"  A  majority,  held  in  restraint  by  constitutional  check  and  limita 
tions,  and  always  changing  easily  with  deliberate  changes  of  popu 
lar  opinions  and  sentiments,  is  the  only  true  sovereign  of  a  free 
people.  Whoever  rejects  it,  does,  of  necessity,  fly  to  anarchy  or  to 
despotism.  Unanimity  is  impossible;  the  rule  of  a  majority,  as  a 
permanent  arrangement,  is  wholly  inadmissible.  So  that,  rejecting 
the  majority  principle,  anarchy  or  despotism  in  some  form  is  all  that 
is  left. 

"  I  do  not  forget  the  position  assumed  by  some,  that  constitutional 
questions  are  to  be  decided  by  the  Supreme  Court,  nor  do  I  deny 
that  such  decisions  must  be  binding  in  any  case  upon  the  parties  tc 


LIFE  OF  ABRAHAM  LINCOLN.  33 

a  suit,  as  to  the  object  of  that  suit,  while  they  are  also  entitled  to 
very  high  respect  and  consideration  in  all  parallel  cases  by  all  other 
departments  of  the  government  :  and  while  it  is  obviously  possible 
that  such  decision  may  be  erroneous  in  any  given  case,  still  the 
evil  effect  following  it,  being  limited  to  that  particular  case,  with 
the  chance  that  it  may  be  overruled  and  never  become  a  precedent 
for  other  cases,  can  better  be  borne  than  could  the  evils  of  a  differ 
ent  practice. 

"At  the  same  time,  the  candid  citizen  must  confess  that,  if  the 
policy  of  the  government  upon  the  vital  questions  affecting  the 
whole  people  is  to  be  irrevocably  fixed  by  the  decisions  of  the  Su 
preme  Court,  the  instant  they  are  made,  as  in  ordinary  litigation, 
between  parties  in  personal  actions,  the  people  will  have  ceased  to 
be  their  own  masters,  unless  having  to  that  extent  practically  re 
signed  their  government  into  the  hands  of  that  eminent  tribunal. 

"  Nor  is  there  in  this  view  any  assault  upon  the  court  or  the 
judges.  It  is  a  duty  from  which  they  may  not  shrink,  to  decide 
cases  properly  brought  before  them  ;  and  it  is  no  fault  of  theirs  if 
others  seek  to  turn  their  decisions  to  political  purposes.  One  sec 
tion  of  our  country  believes  slavery  is  right,  and  ought  to  be  ex 
tended;  while  the  other  believes  it  is  wrong,  and  ought  not  to  be  ex 
tended;  arid  this  is  the  only  substantial  dispute  ;  and  the  fugitive 
slave  clause  of  the  Constitution,  and  the  law  for  the  suppression  of  the 
foreign  slave-trade,  are  each  as  well  enforced,  perhaps,  as  any  law  can 
ever  be  in  a  community  where  the  moral  sense  of  the  people  imper 
fectly  supports  thp  law  itself.  The  great  body  of  the  people  abide  by 
the  dry  legal  obligation  in  both  cases,  and  a  few  break  over  in  each. 
This,  I  think,  cannot  be  perfectly  cured,  and  it  would  be  worse,  in  both 
cases,  after  the  separation  of  the  sections,  than  before.  The  foreign 
slave-trade,  now  imperfectly  suppressed,  would  be  ultimately  revived, 
without  restriction  in  one  section  ;  while  fugitive  slaves,  now  only 
partially  surrendered,  would  not  be  surrendered  at  all  by  the  other. 

"  Physically  speaking,  we  cannot  separate — we  cannot  remove 
our  respective  sections  from  each  other,  nor  build  an  impassable 
wall  between  them.  A  husband  and  wife  may  be  divorced,  and  go 
out  of  the  presence  and  beyond  the  reach  of  the  other,  but  the  dif 
ferent  parts  of  our  country  cannot  do  that.  They  cannot  but  re 
main  face  to  face  ;  an  intercourse,  either  amicable  or  hostile,  must 
continue  between  them.  Is  it  possible,  then,  to  make  that  inter 
course  more  advantageous  or  more  satisfactory  after  separation 
than  before  ?  Can  aliens  make  treaties  easier  than  friends  can 
make  laws  ?  Can  treaties  be  more  faithfully  enforced  between  aliens 
than  laws  can  among  friends  ?  Suppose  you  go  to  war,  you  cannot 

3 


34  LINCOLN  MEMORIAL. 

fight  always  ;  and  when,  after  much  loss  on  both  sides,  and  no  gain 
on  either,  you  cease  fighting,  the  identical  questions  as  to  terms  of 
intercourse  are  again  upon  you. 

"  This  country,  with  its  institutions,  belongs  to  the  people  who 
inhabit  it.  Whenever  they  shall  grow  weary  of  the  existing  gov 
ernment,  they  can  exercise  their  constitutional  right  of  amending, 
or  their  revolutionary  right  to  dismember  or  overthrow  it.  I  cannot 
be  ignorant  of  the  fact  that  many  worthy  and  patriotic  citizens  are 
desirous  of  having  the  national  Constitution  amended.  While  I 
make  no  recommendation  of  amendment,  I  fully  recognize  the  full 
authority  of  the  people  over  the  whole  subject,  to  be  exercised  in 
either  of  the  modes  prescribed  in  the  instrument  itself,  and  I  should, 
under  existing  circumstances,  favor,  rather  than  oppose,  a  fair  op 
portunity  being  afforded  the  people  to  act  upon  it. 

"  I  will  venture  to  add  that  to  me  the  convention  mode  seems 
preferable,  in  that  it  allows  amendments  to  originate  with  the  peo 
ple  themselves,  instead  of  only  permitting  them  to  take  or  reject 
propositions  originated  by  others  not  especially  chosen  for  the  pur 
pose,  and  which  might  not  be  precisely  such  as  they  would  wish 
either  to  accept  or  refuse.  I  understand  that  a  proposed  amend 
ment  to  the  Constitution  (which  amendment,  however,  I  have  not 
seen)  has  passed  Congress,  to  the  effect  that  the  Federal  Govern 
ment  shall  never  interfere  with  the  domestic  institutions  of  States, 
including  that  of  persons  held  to  service.  To  avoid  misconstruction 
of  what  I  have  said,  I  depart  from  my  purpose  not  to  speak  of  par 
ticular  amendments,  so  far  as  to  say  that,  holding  such  a  provision 
to  now  be  implied  constitutional  law,  I  have  no  objection  to  its  being 
made  express  and  irrevocable. 

"  The  chief  magistrate  derives  all  his  authority  from  the  people, 
and  they  have  conferred  none  upon  him  to  fix  the  terms  for  the  sep 
aration  of  the  States.  The  people  themselves,  also,  can  do  this  if 
they  choose,  but  the  Executive,  as  such,  has  nothing  to  do  with  it. 
His  duty  is  to  administer  the  present  government  as  it  came  to  his 
hands,  and  to  transmit  it,  unimpaired  by  him,  to  his  successor. 
Why  should  there  not  be  a  patient  confidence  in  the  ultimate  justice 
of  the  people  ?  Is  there  any  better  or  equal  hope  in  the  world  ?  In 
our  present  differences,  is  either  party  without  faith  of  being  in  the 
right  ?  If  the  Almighty  Ruler  of  nations,  with  his  eternal  truth  and 
justice  be  on  your  side  of  the  North,  or  on  yours  of  the  South,that  truth 
and  that  justice  will  surely  prevail  by  the  judgment  of  this  great 
tribunal,  the  American  people.  By  the  frame  of  the  government 
under  which  we  live,  this  same  people  have,  wisely  given  their  pub 
lic  servants  but  little  power  for  mischief,  and  have,  with  equal  wis- 


LIFE  OF  ABRAHAM  LINCOLN.  )5 

''.om,  provided  for  the  return  of  that  little  to  their  own  hands  at  very 
short  intervals.  While  the  people  retain  their  virtue  and  vigilance, 
no  Administration,  by  any  extreme  wickedness  or  folly,  can  very 
seriously  injure  the  Government  in  the  short  space  of  four  years. 

"  My  countrymen,  one  and  all,  think  calmly  and  well  upon  this 
whole  subject.  Nothing  valuable  can  be  lost  by  taking  time. 

"  If  there  be  an  object  to  hurry  any  of  you,  in  hot  haste,  to  a 
step  which  you  would  never  take  deliberately,  that  object  will  be 
frustrated  by  taking  time  ;  but  no  good  object  can  be  frustrated  by  it. 

"  Such  of  you  as  are  now  dissatisfied,  still  have  the  old  Constitu 
tion  unimpaired,  and,  on  the  sensitive  point,  the  laws  of  your  own 
framing  under  it ;  while  the  new  Administration  will  have  no  im 
mediate  power,  if  it  would,  to  change  either. 

"  If  it  were  admitted  that  you  who  are  dissatisfied  hold  the  right 
side  in  the  dispute,  there  is  still  no  single  reason  for  precipitate 
action.  Intelligence,  patriotism,  Christianity,  and  a  firm  reliance 
on  Him  who  has  never  yet  forsaken  this  favored  land,  are  still 
competent  to  adjust,  in  the  best  way,  all  our  present  difficulties. 

"In  your  hands,  my  dissatisfied  fellow-countrymen,  and  not  in 
mine,  is  the  momentous  issue  of  civil  war.  The  government  will 
not  assail  you. 

"  You  can  have  no  conflict  without  being  yourselves  the  aggres 
sors.  You  have  no  oath  registered  in  heaven  to  destroy  the  gov 
ernment  ;  while  I  shall  have  the  most  solemn  one  to  '  preserve,  pro 
tect,  and  defend  it.' 

"  I  am  loth  to  close.  We  are  not  enemies,  but  friends.  We  must 
not  be  enemies.  Though  passion  may  have  strained,  it  must  not 
break  our  bonds  of  affection. 

"  The  mystic  cbrds  of  memory,  stretching  from  every  battlefield 
and  patriot  grave  to  every  living  heart  and  hearthstone  all  over 
this  broad  land,  will  yet  swell  the  chorus  of  the  Union,  when  again 
touched,  as  surely  they  will  be,  by  the  better  angels  of  our  nature." 

Mr.  Lincoln  on  assuming  the  reins  of  government  found  the 
North  immersed  in  the  affairs  of  peace ;  the  national  govern 
ment  almost  destitute  of  arms  and  means,  and  the  South  busy 
preparing  for  war,  manufacturing  powder,  shell,  balls,  and  other 
munitions  of  war,  and  already  in  possession  of  most  of  the 
arms  belonging  to  the  United  States,  which  had  been,  during 
the  administration  of  his  predecessor,  sent  from  the  Northern 
to  the  Southern  States ;  and  while  the  United  States  government 
had  but  its  petty  regular  army,  the  congress  of  the  revolted 


36  LINCOLN  MEMORIAL. 

States,  only  two  days  after  his  accession,  on  the  6th  of  March 
passed  an  act  to  raise  an  army  of  100,000  men. 

Such  was  his  position.  The  South  not  only  defied  the  Gen 
eral  Government,  but  menaced  the  North.  The  President  could 
not,  with  the  barons  of  old  England,  say  merely,  Nolumus 
mutare  leges  anglice :  like  the  pontiifs,  his  word  could  but  be, 
Non  Possumus.  With  the  inauguration  oath  still  sounding 
from  his  lips,  he  could  not  consent  to  see  half  the  land  he  was 
chosen  to  rule  severed  from  the  estate  he  received  from  the  line 
of  his  predecessors.  Mr.  Stephens,  actually  Yice-President  of 
that  pseudo-republic  to  which  the  crowned  heads  of  Europe 
were  to  do  reverence,  was  of  Mr.  Lincoln's  opinion  :  "  Shall 
the  people  of  the  South  secede  from  the  Union  in  consequence 
of  the  election  of  Mr.  Lincoln  to  the  Presidency  of  the  United 
States  ?  My  countrymen,  I  tell  you  candidly,  frankly,  and 
earnestly,  that  I  do  not  think  that  they  ought.  In  my  judg 
ment,  the  election  of  no  man  constitutionally  chosen  to  that 
high  office,  is  sufficient  cause  for  any  State  to  separate  from  the 
Union.  It  ought  to  stand  by  and  aid  still  in  maintaining  the 
Constitution  of  the  country." 

If  Mr.  Stephens  thought  that  Georgia  should  aid  still  in 
maintaining  the  Constitution  of  the  country,  much  more  did 
Mr.  Lincoln  deem  it  his  duty  to  maintain  it,  so  far  as  the  people 
would  support  him.  To  him  the  path  of  duty  was  clear.  He 
would  do  it,  as  long  as  the  people  gave  him  the  power :  when 
they  prevented  him,  the  responsibility  shifted  from  his  shoulders. 

Mr.  Lincoln's  first  act  was  to  select  his  Cabinet.  For  the 
important  position  of  Secretary  of  State  he  selected  his  late 
competitor,  William  H.  Seward,  of  New  York,  whose  death 
was  plotted  and  nearly  effected  with  his  own ;  Salmon  P.  Chase, 
now  Chief-Justice  of  the  United  States,  called  upon  to  admin 
ister  the  oath  of  office  to  Mr.  Lincoln's  successor,  took  the  port 
folio  of  the  Treasury ;  Simon  Cameron,  of  Pennsylvania,  be 
came  Secretary  of  War ;  Gideon  Welles,  of  Connecticut,  Sec 
retary  of  the  Navy  ;  Caleb  B.  Smith,  of  Indiana,  Secretary  of 
the  Interior ;  the  direction  of  the  Post-office  Department  was 
confided*  to  Montgomery  Blair,  of  Maryland ;  and  Edward 
Bates,  of  Missouri,  became  Attorney-General.  These  nomina 
tions  were  all  confirmed  by  the  Senate,  and  his  Cabinet  ajt  once 
began  their  arduous  duties. 


LIFE  OF  ABRAHAM  LINCOLN.  37 

On  the  12th  of  March,  John  Forsyth,  of  Alabama,  and 
Crawford  of  Georgia,  requested  an  unofficial  interview  with 
the  Secretary  of  State,  which  was  declined.  On  the  13th  they 
sent  a  communication  stating  that  they  were  commissioners 
from  a  government  composed  of  seven  States  which  had  with 
drawn  from  the  United  States,  and  desired  to  open  negotiations. 
After  due  deliberation  Mr.  Seward,  on  the  8th  of  April,  in 
formed  them  that  it  "  would  not  be  admitted  that  the  States  re 
ferred  to  had,  in  law  or  fact,  withdrawn  from  the  Federal 
Union  ;  or  that  they  could  do  so,  in  any  other  manner  than  with 
the  consent  and  concert  of  the  people  of  the  United  States,  to 
be  given  through  a  National  Convention  to  be  assembled  in 
conformity  with  the  provisions  of  the  Constitution  of  the 
United  States." 

This  reply  telegraphed  to  the  South  made  them  resolve  to 
begin  the  hostilities  which  they  so  long  covertly  and  at  last 
openly  prepared.  General  Beauregard,  at  Charleston,  was  or 
dered  to  reduce  Fort  Sumter.  On  the  12th  he  opened  on 
the  fort  from  the  numerous  batteries  planted  around  the  fort, 
and  Major  Anderson,  after  holding  it  under  heavy  fire  for 
thirty-three  hours  with  only  sixty  men,  finding  it  impossible  to 
save  the  fort  or  be  relieved,  agreed  to  evacuate,  and  did  so  on 
Sunday,  April  14th,  1861. 

This  blow  decided  the  hesitating  Southern  States,  which  now 
saw  that  war  was  inevitable.  To  the  incredulous  North  it  was 
a  thunder-clapc  The  South  really  meant  war  ;  and  forgetting 
all  party  distinctions,  the  North  rose  as  a  man,  its  dogged  per 
sistence  roused  to  fire. 

President  Lincoln  regarding  it  as  an  armed  attack  on  a  gov 
ernment  fort  by  a  combination,  issued  a  proclamation  in  these 
words : — 

"  Whereas,  The  laws  of  the  United  States  have  been  for  some 
time  past,  and  now  are  opposed,  and  the  execution  thereof  ob 
structed,  in  the  States  of  South  Carolina,  Georgia,  Alabama,  Florida, 
Mississippi,  Lousiana,  and  Texas,  by  combinations  too  powerful  to 
be  suppressed  by  the  ordinary  course  of  judicial  proceedings,  or  by 
the  powers  vested  in  the  marshals  by  law;  now,  therefore,  l} 
ABRAHAM  LINCOLN,  President  of  the  United  States,  in  virtue  of  the 
power  in  me  vested  by  the  Constitution  and  the  laws,  have  thought 
fit  to  call  forth,  and  hereby  do  call  forth,  the  militia  of  the  several 


38  LINCOLN  MEMORIAL. 

States  of  the  Union  to  the  aggregate  number  of  75,000,  in  order  to 
suppress  said  combinations  and  to  cause  the  laws  to  be  duly  ex 
ecuted. 

"  The  details  for  this  object  will  be  immediately  communicated  to 
the  State  authorities  through  the  War  Department.  I  appeal  to  all 
loyal  citizens  to  favor,  facilitate,  and  aid  this  effort  to  maintain  the 
honor,  the  integrity,  and  existence  of  our  national  Union,  and  the 
perpetuity  of  popular  government,  and  to  redress  wrongs  already 
long  enough  endured.  I  deem  it  proper  to  say  that  the  first  service 
assigned  to  the  forces  hereby  called  forth,  will  probably  be  to  re 
possess  the  forts,  places,  and  property  which  have  been  seized  from 
the  Union;  and  in  every  event  the  utmost  care  will  be  observed, 
consistently  with  the  objects  aforesaid,  to  avoid  any  devastation, 
any  destruction  of,  or  interference  with  property,  or  any  disturbance 
of  peaceful  citizens  of  any  part  of  the  country;  and  I  hereby  com 
mand  the  persons  composing  the  combinations  aforesaid,  to  disperse 
and  retire  peaceably  to  their  respective  abodes,  within  twenty  days 
from  this  date. 

"  Deeming  that  the  present  condition  of  public  affairs  presents  an 
extraordinary  occasion,  I  do  hereby,  in  virtue  of  the  power  in  me 
vested  by  the  Constitution,  convene  both  Houses  of  Congress.  The 
Senators  and  Representatives  are,  therefore,  summoned  to  assemble 
at  their  respective  chambers  at  twelve  o'clock,  noon,  on  Thursday, 
the  fourth  day  of  July  next,  then  and  there  to  consider  and  deter 
mine  such  measures  as,  in  their  wisdom,  the  public  safety  and  in 
terest  may  seem  to  demand. 

"  In  witness  whereof,  I  have  hereunto  set  my  hand,  and  caused 
the  seal  of  the  United  States  to  be  affixed. 

"  Done  at  the  City  of  Washington,  this  fifteenth  day  of  April,  in 
the  year  of  our  Lord  one  thousand  eight  hundred  and  sixty-one, 
and  of  the  independence  of  the  United  States  the  eighty-fifth. 
"  By  the  President:  ABRAHAM  LINCOLN. 

"  WILLIAM  H.  SEWARD,  Secretary  of  State" 

To  this  proclamation  the  Northern  States  responded  heartily. 
Maryland  attacked  Northern  troops  on  their  way  to  Washing 
ton  ;  and  the  border  States  showed  that  they  were  likely  to  be 
soon  all  arrayed  against  the  Union.  Southern  army  officers 
had  already  resigned  and  joined  the  rebels,  and  many  from  the 
border  States  were  ready  to  follow  the  example.  On  the  17th 
of  April  Virginia  formally  seceded,  having  first  admitted  Con 
federate  troops  into  her  limits,  and  Robert  E.  Lee,  a  trusted 
officer,  left  Washington  to  command  the  troops  of  that  State 


LIFE  OF  ABRAHAM  LINCOLN.  39 

and  eventually  of  the  whole  Confederacy,  followed  by  all  who 
deemed  an  obligation  to  take  part  in  a  State  crime  a  higher 
virtue  than  fidelity  to  oaths  or  patriotic  devotion  to  their 
country. 

One  of  the  earliest  duties  of  Mr.  Lincoln  was  to  assume  a 
proper  ground  with  regard  to  foreign  powers.  He  took  the 
broad  ground  that  it  was  a  domestic  rebellion,  which  the  United 
States  government  was  competent  to  put  down.  To  our  min 
ister  at  London  this  explicit  instruction  was  sent:  "  You  may 
assure  them  promptly  that,  if  they  are  determined  to  recognize 
the  seceded  States,  they  may  at  the  same  time  prepare  to  enter 
into  alliance  with  the  enemies  of  this  republic.  You  alone 
will  represent  your  country  at  London,  and  you  will  represent 
the  whole  of  it  there.  When  you  are  asked  to  divide  the  duty 
with  others,  diplomatic  relations  will  be  suspended." 

This  declaration  was  not  made  too  soon  ;  for  England  and 
France  had  precipitately,  and  before  the  arrival  of  Mr.  Adams, 
recognized  the  rebels  as*a  belligerent  power;  and  when  Mr. 
Lincoln  gave  his  adhesion  to  the  principles  of  the  Paris  Con 
vention  of  1859,  agreeing,  among  other  things,  to  suppress 
privateering,  the  two  great  European  allies  required  that  they 
should  not  apply  to  the  rebellion  in  the  United  States,  but  this 
Mr.  Lincoln  declared  in  admissible.  England  and  France  thus, 
in  violation  of  all  good  faith,  set  aside  the  treaties  with  this 
country,  and  put  the  national  government  merely  on  a  par  with 
its  rebellious  subjects,  giving  the  latter  every  advantage  con 
ceded  to  our  national  vessels. 

This  unwise  and  malignant  policy  made  it  also  a  matter  of 
importance  with  Mr.  Lincoln  how  best  to  act  with  regard  to 
Southern  ports.  To  close  them,  presented  difficulties  not  to  be 
disguised.  The  President,  therefore,  by  proclamation,  on  the 
19th  and  27th  of  April,  declared  the  blockade  of  all  the 
Southern  ports;  and  announced  that  privateers  should  be 
treated  as  pirates.  This  position  was  at  first  ridiculed.  The 
rebels  and  their  foreign  friends  declared  a  blockade  impossible, 
and  the  jealous  European  powers  required  it  to  be  made  effect 
ive.  But  Mr.  Lincoln,  while  rapidly  and  thoroughly  collecting 
and  equipping  the  land  forces  necessary,  pushed  also  the  in 
crease  of  the  navy,  and  soon  had  means  to  establish  such  a 
blockade  as  had  never  before  been  witnessed.  Blockade  run- 


40  LINCOLN  MEMORIAL. 

ners  constantly  contrived,  indeed,  to  run  from  the  pestilent 
little  English  islands  off  our  Southern  coast  into  Southern 
harbors ;  but  their  losses  were  heavy,  and  in  some  cases  over 
whelming. 

Mr.  Lincoln  convened  his  first  Congress  on  the  4th  of  Juty, 
1861.  After  sitting  about  a  month,  it  adjourned,  clothing 
the  President  with  ample  power  for  suppressing  the  rebellion, 
and  avoiding  all  topics  likely  to  mar  the  harmony  or  cool  the 
ardent  patriotism  of  the  Northern  States. 

Meanwhile,  important  military  operations  had  taken  place. 
Long  standing  on  the  defensive,  the  armies  at  last  moved  for 
ward  to  repel  the  menacing  hosts  of  rebellion,  but  the  popular 
hopes  were  sadly  dashed  by  the  terrible  overthrow  sustained 
by  the  national  arms  at  Bull  Run,  Ya.,  in  June.  Still  the  plans 
of  the  government  were  steadily  pushed.  Fort  Hatteras,  Port 
Royal,  and  Ship  Island,  were  taken  on  the  coast,  and  the 
rebels  checked  in  Western  Virginia,  Kentucky,  and  Missouri. 
General  Scott  having  resigned,  Mr.  Lincoln  appointed  to  com 
mand  the  armies  Major-General  George  B.  McClellan,  whose 
success  in  Western  Virginia  justified  the  choice,  but  whose 
management  of  affairs  did  not  answer  the  favorable  anticipa 
tions  formed. 

In  the  delicate  matter  of  the  seizure,  by  Commodore  Wilkes, 
of  Mason  and  Slidell,  rebel  envoys,  on  the  English  steamer 
Trent,  Mr.  Lincoln,  with  great  sagacity,  restored  them  to  the 
English  authority,  on  the  ground  that  Commodore  Wilkes 
should  have  taken  them  before  a  legal  tribunal,  instead  of  him 
self  assuming  to  decide  their  liability  to  capture. 

The  abolition  of  slavery  was  a  great  topic  for  consideration. 
That  the  rebels  brought  their  slave  property  within  the  opera 
tion  of  the  confiscation  laws,  was  unquestionable,  and  the  main 
difficulty  seemed  to  be  with  the  border  States.  Here  Mr. 
Lincoln  urged  those  States  to  act,  and  Congress  offered  pecu 
niary  aid  to  States  wishing  to  abolish  it.  But  no  State  ac 
cepted  the  offer.  Rather  than  take  a  single  step,  they  preferred 
to  wait  till  slavery  should  fall.  Mr.  Lincoln  was  strongly  in 
favor  of  sending  the  liberated  slaves  to  some  foreign  country, 
Central  America  or  some  other,  but  his  plan  met  with  difficul 
ties  which  led  to  its  total  abandonment. 

As  the  war  progressed,  new  questions  arose.     As  territory 


LIFE  OF  ABRAHAM  LINCOLN.  41 

was  regained,  government,  courts, and  other  institutions  were  to  be 
established.  Much  had  to  be  left  to  the  discretion  of  military 
commanders ;  and  in  the  exercise  of  this  discretion,  they  required 
the  constant  watchfulness  of  the  calm,  far-seeing  President. 

Congress  had  given  him  full  power  under  the  Confiscation 
Act  to  liberate  slaves.  Many  urged  him  to  do  so  ;  but  he  de 
clined  to  use  the  power.  The  saving  of  the  Union  was  his 
great  object,  to  which  the  question  of  emancipation  was  abso 
lutely  subordinate.  Whenever  and  so  far  as  emancipation 
would  help  to  save  the  Union,  then  and  that  far  he  would 
adopt  it.  Till  then  he  restrained  the  ardent  and  impetuous. 

At  last,  on  the  22d  of  September,  1862,  Mr.  Lincoln  issued 
this  proclamation,  which  will  stand  as  one  of  the  greatest  State 
papers  in  American  history. 

"  I,  Abraham  Lincoln,  President  of  the  United  States  of  America, 
and  Commander-in-Chief.  of  the  Army  and  Navy  thereof,  do  hereby 
proclaim  and  declare  that  hereafter  as  heretofore  the  war  will  be 
prosecuted  for  the  object  of  practically  restoring  the  constitutional 
relation  between  the  United  States  and  the  people  thereof  in  those 
States  in  which  that  relation  is,  or  may  be,  suspended  or  disturbed  ; 
that  it  is  my  purpose  upon  the  next  meeting  of  Congress  to  again 
recommend  the  adoption  of  a  practical  measure  tendering  pecuniary 
aid  to  the  free  acceptance  or  rejection  of  all  the  slave  States,  so 
called,  the  people  whereof  may  not  then  be  in  rebellion  against  the 
United  States,  and  which  States  may  then  have  voluntarily  adopted, 
or  thereafter  may  voluntarily  adopt,  the  immediate  or  gradual 
abolishment  of  slavery  within  their  respective  limits,  and  that  the 
effort  to  colonize  persons  of  African  descent,  with  their  consent, 
upon  the  continent  or  elsewhere,  with  the  previously  obtained  con 
sent  of  the  government  existing  there,  will  be  continued  ;  that  on 
the  first  day  of  January,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  one  thousand 
eight  hundred  and  sixty-three,  all  persons  held  as  slaves  within  any 
State,  or  any  designated  part  of  a  State,  the  people  whereof  shall 
then  be  in  rebellion  against  the  United  States,  shall  be  then,  thence 
forward  and  forever,  free,  and  the  executive  government  of  the 
United  States,  including  the  military  and  naval  authority  thereof, 
will  recognize  and  maintain  the  freedom  of  such  persons,  and 
will  do  no  act  or  acts  to  depress  such  persons,  or  any  of 
them,  in  any  efforts  they  may  make  for  their  actual  freedom ;  that 
the  Executive  will,  on  the  first  day  of  January  aforesaid,  by  pro 
clamation,  designate  the  States  and  parts  of  States,  if  any,  in 


42  LINCOLN  MEMORIAL. 

which  the  people  thereof  respectively  shall  then  be  in  rebellion 
against  the  United  States ;  and  the  fact  that  any  State,  or  the 
people  thereof,  shall  on  that  day  be  in  good  faith  represented  in  the 
Congress  of  the  United  States  by  members  chosen  thereto,  at  elec 
tions  wherein  a  majority  of  the  qualified  voters  of  such  State  shall 
have  participated,  shall,  in  the  absence  of  strong  countervailing 
testimony,  be  deemed  conclusive  evidence  that  such  State  and  the 
people  thereof  have  not  been  in  rebellion  against  the  United  States. 

"That  attention  is  hereby  called  to  an  act  of  Congress  entitled, 
1  An  act  to  make  an  additional  article  of  war/  approved  March  13, 
1862,  and  which  act  is  in  the  words  and  figures  following  : 

"  '  Be  it  enacted  by  the  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives  of  the 
United  States  of  America,  in  Congress  assembled,  That  hereafter  the 
following  shall  be  promulgated  as  an  additional  article  of  war  for 
the  government  of  the  army  of  the  United  States,  and  shall  be  ob 
served  and  obeyed  as  such. 

"  '  Article  — .  All  officers  or  persons  of  the  military  or  naval  ser 
vice  of  the  United  States  are  prohibited  from  employing  any  of  the 
forces  under  their  respective  commands  for  the  purpose  of  return 
ing  fugitives  from  service  or  labor  who  may  have  escaped  from  any 
persons  to  whom  such  service  or  labor  is  claimed  to  be  due  ;  and 
any  officer  who  shall  be  found  guilty  by  a  court-martial  of  violating 
this  article,  shall  be  dismissed  from  the  service. 

"  '  Sec.  2.  And  be  it  further  enacted,  That  this  act  shall  take  effect 
from  and  after  its  passage.' 

"  Also  to  the  ninth  and  tenth  sections  of  an  act  entitled,  '  An  act 
to  suppress  insurrection,  to  punish  treason  and  rebellion,  to  seize  and 
confiscate  property  of  rebels,  and  for  other  purposes/  approved  July 
It,  1862,  and  which  sections  are  in  the  words  and  figures  following: 

" '  Sec.  9.  Arid  be  it  further  enacted,  That  all  slaves  of  persons 
who  shall  hereafter  be  engaged  in  rebellion  against  the  government 
of  the  United  States,  or  who  shall  in  any  way  give  aid  or  comfort 
thereto,  escaping  from  such  persons  and  taking  refuge  within  the 
lines  of  the  army ;  and  all  slaves  captured  from  such  persons  or 
deserted  by  them,  and  coming  under  the  control  of  the  Government 
of  the  United  States,  and  all  slaves  of  such  persons  found  on  (or 
being  within)  any  place  occupied  by  rebel  forces  and  afterwards 
occupied  by  the  forces  of  the  United  States,  shall  be  deemed  cap 
tives  of  war,  and  shall  be  forever  free  of  their  servitude,  and  not 
again  held  as  slaves. 

"  '  Sec.  10.  And  be  it  further  enacted,  That  no  slave  escaping 
into  any  State,  Territory,  or  the  District  of  Columbia,  from  any  of 
the  States,  shall  be  delivered  up,  or  in  any  way  impeded  or  hiii- 


LIFE-  OF  ABRAHAM  LINCOLN.  43 

dered  of  his  liberty,  except  for  crime,  or  some  offence  against  the 
laws,  unless  the  person  claiming  said  fugitive  shall  first  make  oath 
that  the  person  to  whom  the  labor  or  service  of  such  fugitive  is 
alleged  to  be  due,  is  his  lawful  owner,  and  has  not  been  in  arms 
against  the  United  States  in  the  present  rebellion,  nor  in  any  way 
given  aid  and  comfort  thereto  ;  and  no  pers'on  engaged  in  the  mili 
tary  or  naval  service  of  the  United  States  shall,  under  any  pretence 
whatever,  assume  to  decide  on  the  validity  of  the  claim  of  any  per 
son  to  the  service  or  labor  of  any  other  person,  or  surrender  up 
any  such  person  to  the  claimant,  on  pain  of  being  dismissed  from 
the  service/ 

"  And  I  do  hereby  enjoin  upon,  and  order  all  persons  engaged  in 
the  military  and  naval  service  of  the  United  States  to  observe,  obey, 
and  enforce  within  their  respective  spheres  of  service  the  act  and 
sections  above  recited. 

"  And  the  executive  will  in  due  time  recommend  that  all  citizens 
of  the  United  States  who  shall  have  remained  loyal  thereto  through 
out  the  rebellion,  shall  (upon  the  restoration  of  the  constitutional 
relation  between  the  United  States  and  their  respective  States  and 
people,  if  the  relation  shall  have  been  suspended  or  disturbed)  be 
compensated  for  all  losses  by  acts  of  the  United  States,  including 
the  loss  of  slaves. 

"  In  witness  whereof,  I  have  hereunto  set  my  hand  and  caused 
the  seal  of  the  United  States  to  be  affixed. 

"Done  at  the  city  of  Washington,  this  twenty-second  day  of  Sep 
tember,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  one  thousand  eight  hundred 
and  sixty-two,  and  of  the  Independence  of  the  United  States 
the  eighty-seventh. 

"  By  the  President:  "ABRAHAM  LINCOLN. 

"  WILLIAM  H.  SEWARD,  Secretary  of  State" 

This  was  followed  by  another,  issued  on  the  first  of  January, 
1863,  and  worded  as  follows : 

"  Whereas,  on  the  twenty-second  day  of  September,  in  the  year 
of  our  Lord  one  thousand  eight  hundred  and  sixty-two,  a  proclama 
tion  was  issued  by  the  President  of  the  United  States  containing 
among  other  things  the  following,  to  wit: 

"  That  on  the  first  day  of  January,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  one 
thousand  eight  hundred  and  sixty-three,  all  persons  held  as  slaves 
within  any  State,  or  designated  part  of  a  State,  the  people  whereof 
shall  then  be  in  rebellion  against  the  United  States,  shall  be  then, 
thenceforth  and  forever  free,  and  the  Executive  Government  of  the 


44  LINCOLN  MEMORIAL. 

United  States,  including  the  military  and  naval  authorities  thereof, 
will  recognize  and  maintain  the  freedom  of  such  persons,  and  will 
do  no  act  or  acts  to  repress  such  persons,  or  any  of  them,  in  any 
efforts  they  may  make  for  their  actual  freedom.  . 

"  That  the  Executive  will,  on  the  first  day  of  January  aforesaid, 
by  proclamation,  designate  the  States  and  parts  of  States,  if  any, 
in  which  the  people  therein  respectively  shall  then  be  in  rebellion 
against  the  United  States,  and  the  fact  that  any  State,  or  the  people 
thereof,  shall  on  that  day  be  in  good  faith  represented  in  the  Con 
gress  of  the  United  States  by  members  chosen  thereto,  at  elections 
wherein  a  majority  of  the  qualified  voters  of  such  States  shall  have 
participated,  shall,  in  the  absence  of  strong  countervailing  testi 
mony,  be  deemed  conclusive  evidence  that  such  State  and  the  people 
thereof  are  not  then  in  rebellion  against  the  United  States. 

"  Now,  therefore,  I,  Abraham  Lincoln,  President  of  the  United 
States,  by  virtue  of  the  power  in  me  vested  as  Commander-in-Chief 
of  the  Army  and  Navy  of  the  United  States  in  time  of  actual 
armed  rebellion  against  the  authority  and  Government  of  the 
United  States,  and  as  a  fit  and  necessary  war  measure  for  suppress 
ing  said  rebellion,  do,  on  this  first  day  of  January,  in  the  year  of 
our  Lord  one  thousand  eight  hundred  and  sixty-three,  and  in  ac 
cordance  with  my  purpose  so  to  do,  publicly  proclaimed  for  the  full 
period  of  one  hundred  days  from  the  day  of  the  first  above-men 
tioned  order,  and  designate,  as  the  States  and  parts  of  States 
wherein  the  people  thereof  respectively  are  this  day  in  rebellion 
against  the  United  States,  the  following,  to  wit:  Arkansas,  Texas, 
Louisiana,  except  the  parishes  of  St.  Bernard,  Plaquemines,  Jeffer 
son,  St.  John,  St.  Charles,  St.  James,  Ascension,  Assumption,  Terre 
Bonne,  Lafourche,  St.  Mary,  St.  Martin,  and  Orleans,  including  the 
City  of  New  Orleans  ;  Mississippi,  Alabama,  Florida,  Georgia, 
South  Carolina,  North  Carolina,  and  Virginia,  except  the  forty-eight 
counties  designated  as  West  Virginia,  and  also  the  counties  of 
Berkeley,  Accomac,  Northampton,  Elizabeth  City,  York,  Princess 
Anne,  and  Norfolk,  including  the  cities  of  Norfolk  and  Portsmouth, 
and  which  excepted  parts  are,  for  the  present,  left  precisely  as  if 
this  proclamation  were  not  issued. 

"  And  by  virtue  of  the  power  and  for  the  purpose  aforesaid,  I  do 
order  and  declare  that  all  persons  held  as  slaves  within  said  desig 
nated  States  and  parts  of  States  are,  arid  henceforward  shall  be 
free;  and  that  the  Executive  Government  of  the  United  States,  in 
cluding  the  military  and  naval  authorities  thereof,  will  recognize 
and  maintain  the  freedom  of  said  persons. 

"  And  I  hereby  enjoin  upon  the  people  so  declared  to  be  free,  to 


LIFE  OF  ABRAHAM  LINCOLN.  45 

abstain  from  all  violence,  unless  in  necessary  self-defence,  and  I  rec 
ommend  to  them,  that  in  all  cases,  when  allowed,  they  labor  faith 
fully  for  reasonable  wages. 

"  And  I  further  declare  and  make  known,  that  such  persons  of 
suitable  condition  will  be  received  into  the  armed  service  of  the 
United  States,  to  garrison  forts,  positions,  stations,  and  other  places, 
and  to  man  vessels  of  all  sorts  in  said  service. 

"  And  upon  this,  sincerely  believed  to  be  an  act  of  justice,  war 
ranted  by  the  Constitution,  upon  military  necessity,  I  invoke  the 
considerate  judgment  of  mankind,  and  the  gracious  favor  of  Al 
mighty  God. 

"  In  witness  whereof,  I  have  hereunto  set  my  hand,  and  caused 
the  seal  of  the  United  States  to  be  affixed. 

"Done  at  the  city  of  Washington,  this  first  day  of  January,  in 
the  year  of  our  Lord  one  thousand  eight  hundred  and  sixty- 
[L.  s.]  three,  and  of  the  Independence  of  the  United  States  of 
America  the  eighty-seventh. 

"  By  the  President :  "  ABRAHAM  LINCOLN. 

"WILLIAM  H.  SEW  ATM,  Secretary  of  State." 

The  proclamation  excited  various  opinions.  To  some  it  was 
unconstitutional,  to  others  unwise,  as  unable  to  reach  the  class 
in  question ;  but  its  effect  was  immense,  as  we  now  see.  It 
would  be  impossible,  in  the  space  we  can  here  give  to  the  ad 
ministration  of  Mr.  Lincoln,  to  enter  into  his  various  acts  of 
office,  his  calls  for  troops,  his  various  appointments,  or  the 
various  steps  that  he  adopted,  from  time  to  time,  in  the  well- 
grounded  hope  that  they  would  bring  peace  to  the  land.  On 
the  8th  of  December,  1863,  he  issued  his  important  amnesty 
proclamation,  in  which,  after  reciting  the  existence  of  the 
rebellion,  he  proceeds : 

"Therefore,  I,  Abraham  Lincoln,  President  of  the  United  States, 
do  proclaim,  declare,  and  make  known  to  all  persons  who  have, 
directly  or  by  implication,  participated  in  the  existing  rebellion,  ex 
cept  as  hereinafter  excepted,  that  a  FULL  PARDON  is  hereby  granted 
to  them  and  each  of  them,  with  restoration  of  all  rights  of  property, 
except  as  to  slaves,  and  in  property  cases  where  rights  of  third 
parties  shall  have  intervened,  and  upon  the  condition  that  every 
such  person  shall  take  and  subscribe  an  oath,  and  thenceforward 
keep  and  maintain  said  oath  inviolate;  and  which  oath  shall  be 


46  LINCOLN  MEMORIAL. 

registered  for  permanent  preservation,  and  shall  be  of  the  tenor  and 
effect  following,  to  wit : 

" '  I, ,  do  solemnly  swear,  in  presence  of  Almighty  God, 

that  I  will  henceforth  faithfully  support,  protect,  and  defend  the 
Constitution  of  the  United  States,  and  the  union  of  the  States 
thereunder;  and  that  I  will,  in  like  manner,  abide  by  and  faithfully 
support  all  acts  of  Congress,  passed  during  the  existing  rebellion, 
with  reference  to  slaves,  so  long  and  so  far  as  not  repealed,  modified, 
or  held  void  by  Congress,  or  by  decision  of  the  Supreme  Court;  and 
that  I  will,  in  like  manner,  abide  by  and  faithfully  support  all  proc 
lamations  of  the  President,  made  during  the  existing  rebellion, 
having  reference  to  slaves,  so  long  and  so  far  as  not  modified  or 
declared  void  by  decision  of  the  Supreme  Court.  So  help  me  God.' 

"  The  persons  exempted  from  the  benefits  of  the  foregoing  pro 
visions  are  all  who  are  or  shall  have  been  civil  or  diplomatic  officers 
or  agents  of  the  so-called  Confederate  Government;  all  who  have 
left  judicial  stations  under  the  United  States  to  aid  the  rebellion ; 
all  who  are  or  shall  have  been  military  or  naval  officers  of  said 
Confederate  Government  above  the  rank  of  Colonel  in  the  army,  or 
of  Lieutenant  in  the  navy;  all  who  left  seats  in  the  United  States 
Congress  to  aid  the  rebellion;  all  who  resigned  their  commissions 
in  the  army  or  navy  of  the  United  States,  and  afterwards  aided  the 
rebellion,  and  all  who  have  engaged  in  any  way,  in  treating  colored 
persons  or  white  persons,  in  charge  of  such,  otherwise  than  lawfully, 
as  prisoners  of  war,  and  which  persons  may  be  found  in  the  United 
States  service,  as  soldiers,  seamen,  or  in  any  other  capacity. 

"  And  I  do  further  proclaim,  declare,  and  make  known,  that  when 
ever,  in  any  of  the  States  of  Arkansas,  Texas,  Louisiana,  Missis 
sippi,  Tennessee,  Alabama,  Georgia,  Florida,  South  Carolina,  and 
North  Carolina,  a  number  of  persons,  not  less  than  one-tenth  in 
number  of  the  votes  cast  in  such  State  at  the  Presidential  election 
of  the  year  of  our  Lord  1860,  each  having  taken  the  oath  aforesaid, 
and  not  having  since  violated  it,  and  being  a  qualified  voter  by  the 
election  law  of  the  State  existing  immediately  before  the  so-called 
act  of  secession,  and  excluding  all  others,  shall  re-establish  a  State 
government  which  shall  be  Republican,  and  in  nowise  contravening 
said  oath,  such  shall  be  recognized  as  the  true  government  of  the 
State,  and  the  State  shall  receive  thereunder  the  benefits  of  the 
Constitutional  provision,  which  declares  that  'the  United  States 
shall  guarantee  to  every  State  in  this  Union  a  Republican  form  of 
government,  and  shall  protect  each  of  them  against  invasion;  arid, 
on  application  of  the  Legislature,  or  the  executive  (when  the  Legis 
lature  cannot  be  convened),  against  domestic  violence.' 


LIFE  OF  ABRAHAM  LINCOLN.  47 

"  And  I  do  further  proclaim,  declare,  and  make  known,  that  any 
provision  which  may  be  adopted  by  such  State  government,  in  rela 
tion  to  the  freed  people  of  such  State,  which  shall  recognize  and 
declare  their  permanent  freedom,  provide  for  their  education,  and 
which  may  yet  be  consistent,  as  a  temporary  arrangement,  with 
their  present  condition  as  a  laboring,  landless,  and  homeless  class, 
will  not  be  objected  to  by  the  National  Executive.  And  it  is  sug 
gested  as  not  improper,  that,  in  constructing  a  loyal  State  govern 
ment  in  any  State,  the  name  of  the  State,  the  boundary,  the  subdi 
visions,  the  Constitution,  and  the  general  code  of  laws,  as  before 
the  rebellion,  be  maintained,  subject  only  to  the  modifications  made 
necessary  by  the  conditions  hereinbefore  stated,  and  such  others,  if 
any,  not  contravening  said  conditions,  and  which  may  be  deemed 
expedient  by  those  framing  the  new  State  government. 

"  To  avoid  misunderstanding,  it  may  be  proper  to  say,  that  this 
proclamation,  so  far  as  it  relates  to  State  governments,  has  no 
reference  to  States  wherein  loyal  State  governments  have  all  the 
while  been  maintained.  And  for  the  same  reason,  it  may  be  proper 
to  further  say,  that  whether  members  sent  to  Congress  from  any 
State  shall  be  admitted  to  seats  constitutionally,  rests  exclusively 
with  the  respective  Houses,  and  not  to  any  extent  with  the  Exec 
utive.  And  still  further,  that  this  proclamation  is  intended  to  pre 
sent  the  people  of  the  States  wherein  the  national  authority  has 
been  suspended,  and  loyal  State  governments  have  been  subverted, 
a  mode  in  and  by  which  the  national  authority  and  loyal  State  gov 
ernments  may  be  re-established  within  said  States,  or  in  any  of 
them;  and,  while  the  mode  presented  is  the  best  the  Executive  can 
suggest,  with  his  present  impressions,  it  must  not  be  understood 
that  no  other  possible  mode  would  be  acceptable. 

"  Given  under  my  hand  at  the  city  of  Washington,  the  eighth  day 
of  December,  A.  D.  one  thousand  eight  hundred  and  sixty- 
three,  and  of  the  Independence  of  the  United  States  of  Amer 
ica  the  eighty-eighth. 

"  By  the  President :  "  ABRAHAM  LINCOLN. 

"WILLIAM  H.  SEWARD,  Secretary  of  State." 

As  the  term  of  Mr.  Lincoln's  administration  drew  towards  a 
close,  other  prominent  men  of  the  party  were  spoken  of  in  po 
litical  circles,  as  possible  candidates ;  but  it  was  soon  evident 
that  the  sound  common  sense  of  the  people  demanded  his  con 
tinuance.  There  was  no  longer  contemptuous  scorn  or  abuse. 
The  man  had  risen  far  above  that.  If  in  that  complicity  of 


48  LINCOLN  MEMORIAL. 

character,  springing  from  the  inartificial  society  in  which  he  was 
reared,  he  used  the  apologue  to  enforce  his  opinions,  the  people 
felt  that  what  would  have  made  him  a  sage  in  antiquity  could  not 
make  his  real  wisdom  less  now.  He  had  made  a  hard-working, 
earnest,  true,  patient,  cautious,  kind-hearted,  yet  most  firm 
President.  Men  felt  loosened  from  party  shackles,  and  many 
inwardly  resolved,  against  all  former  political  bias,  to  cast  their 
votes  for  Mr.  Lincoln. 

The  National  Union  Convention  assembled  at  Baltimore, 
June  7, 1^64,  nominated  him  for  President,  and  Andrew  John 
son,  another  self-made  Southern  man,  for  Yice-President. 

On  the  29th  of  August,  in  the  same  year,  a  Democratic  Con 
vention  at  Chicago  nominated  General  George  B.  McClellan 
for  the  Presidency,  and  George  H.  Pendleton,  of  Ohio,  for  Yice- 
President,  with  a  platform  which  General  McClellan  virtually 
repudiated. 

Meanwhile  Grant,  after  reducing  Vicksburg  and  opening 
the  Mississippi  by  the  fall  of  Port  Hudson,  had  proceeded  to 
Tennessee,  and  taking  in  hand  the  army  there,  driven  the  rebels 
from  before  Chattanooga.  Appointed  Lieutenant-General,  he 
forced  Lee  back  to  Richmond,  while  his  able  lieutenant,  Sher 
man,  forced  Bragg  back  to  Atlanta.  The  rebellion  began  to 
totter.  A  few  Southern  leaders  in  Canada  endeavored  to 
open  negotiations  for  terms.  Their  advances  elicited  this  char 
acteristic  reply : 

"  EXECUTIVE  MANSION,  WASHINGTON,  July  18,  1864. 
"  To  whom  it  may  concern :  Any  proposition  which  embraces  the 
restoration  of  peace,  the  integrity  of  the  Union,  and  the  abandon 
ment  of  slavery,  and  which  comes  by  and  with  authority  that  can 
control  the  armies  now  at  war  against  the  United  States,  will  be 
received  and  considered  by  the  Executive  Government  of  the  United 
States,  and  will  be  met  by  liberal  terms  on  other  substantial  and 
collateral  points,  and  the  bearers  thereof  shall  have  safe  conduct 
both  ways. 

"  ABRAHAM  LINCOLN." 

The  Presidential  election  took  place  upon  the  eighth  of  No 
vember,  1864,  and  it  resulted  in  the  triumph  of  Mr.  Lincoln  in 
every  loyal  State  except  Kentucky,  New  Jersey,  and  Delaware. 
The  official  returns  for  the  entire  vote  polled  summed  up  4,034,789. 


LIFE  OF  ABRAHAM  LINCOLN.  49 

Of  these  Mr.  Lincoln  received  2,223,035,  and  McClellan  re 
ceived  1,811,754,  leaving  a  majority  of  411,281  on  the  popnlar 
vote.  Mr.  Lincoln  was  elected  by  a  plurality  in  1860.  In  1864 
his  majority  was  decided  and  unmistakable. 

The  covert  attempt  to  negotiate  having  failed,  the  rebels  in 
February,  1865,  applied  directly  for  permission  to  send  their 
Yice-President,  Stephens  of  Georgia,  R.  M.  T.  Hunter  of  Yir- 
ginia,  and  J.  A.  Campbell  of  Alabama,  through  the  lines  as 
quasi  Commissioners  to  treat  for  peace.  It  had  been  distinctly 
stated  that  no  recognition  of  the  Southern  Confederacy  by  the 
general  Government  must  be  expected ;  still  the  envoys  wished 
to  come,  and  President  Lincoln  proceeded  to  Fortress  Monroe 
then,  on  the  steamer  River  Queen.  The  conference  led  to  no 
results.  The  envoys  made  the  recognition  indispensable,  while 
Mr.  Lincoln,  in  his  friendly  and  genial  conversation  with  them, 
as  firmly  insisted  that  he  could  not  for  a  moment  entertain  it. 

On  the  4th  of  March  Mr.  Lincoln  was  inaugurated  for  a  sec 
ond  term  of  four  years,  to  which  he  had  been  chosen  by  so  pre 
ponderating  a  vote  of  confidence.  The  day  was  rainy,  and  the 
ceremonies  began  in  the  Senate  Chamber.  A  few  moments  be 
fore  twelve  o'clock,  the  official  procession  entered  the  chamber. 
First,  came  the  members  of  the  Supreme  Court,  who  took 
seats  on  the  right  of  the  Yice-President's  chair.  Soon  after 
Mr.  Lincoln  entered,  escorted  by  Yice-President  Hamlin,  and 
followed  by  the  members  of  the  cabinet,  the  chiefs  of  the  di 
plomatic  corps,  officers  of  the  army  and  navy  who  have  received 
the  thanks  of  Congress,  Governors,  &c. 

Yice-President  Hamlin  briefly  took  leave  of  the  Senate,  and 
his  successor,  with  the  Senators  elect  to  the  Thirty-Ninth  Con 
gress,  were  then  sworn  in.  After  this  the  official  procession 
was  formed  and  moved  to  the  platform  in  front  of  the  portico 
of  the  eastern  front  of  the  Capitol,  where  the  ceremony  of  in 
auguration  was  concluded.  After  being  welcomed  with  en 
thusiastic  cheers,  Mr.  Lincoln  pronounced  the  following  in 
augural  : 

"Fellow  Countrymen  :  At  this  second  appearing  to  take  the  oath 
of  the  Presidential  office,  there  is  less  occasion  for  an  extended  ad 
dress  than  there  was  at  the  first.  Then  a  statement  somewhat  in 
detail  of  a  course  to  be  pursued  seemed  fitting  and  proper.  Now, 
at  the  expiration  of  four  years,  during  which  public  declarations 

4 


50  LINCOLN  MEMORIAL. 

have  been  constantly  called  forth  on  every  point  and  phase  of  the 
great  contest  which  still  absorbs  the  attention  and  engrosses  the 
energies  of  the  Nation,  little  that  is  new  could  be  presented. 

"  The  progress  of  our  arms,  upon  which  all  else  chiefly  depends, 
is  as  well  known  to  the  public  as  to  myself,  arid  it  is,  I  trust,  reason 
ably  satisfactory  and  encouraging  to  all.  With  high  hope  for  the 
future,  no  prediction  in  regard  to  it  is  ventured. 

"  On  the  occasion  corresponding  to  this  four  years  ago,  all 
thoughts  were  anxiously  directed  to  an  impending  civil  war.  All 
dreaded  it ;  all  sought  to  avoid  it.  While  the  Inaugural  Address 
was  being  delivered  from  this  place,  devoted  altogether  to  saving 
the  Union  without  war,  insurgent  agents  were  in  this  city  seeking 
to  destroy  it  without  war — seeking  to  dissolve  the  Union  and  des 
troy  its  effects  by  negotiation.  Both  parties  deprecated  war,  but 
one  of  them  would  make  war  rather  than  let  the  nation  survive,  and 
the  other  would  accept  war  rather  than  let  it  perish  ;  and  the  war 
came. 

"  One-eighth  of  the  whole  population  were  colored  slaves,  not  dis 
tributed  generally  over  the  Union,  but  localized  in  the  Southern 
part  of  it.  These  slaves  constituted  a  peculiar  and  powerful  interest. 
All  knew  that  this  interest  was  somehow  the  cause  of  the  war.  To 
strengthen,  perpetuate  and  extend  this  interest  was  the  object  for 
which  the  insurgents  would  rend  the  Union  even  by  war,  while  the 
Government  claimed  no  right  to  do  more  than  to  restrict  the  terri 
torial  enlargement  of  it. 

"  Neither  party  expected  for  the  war  the  magnitude  or  the  duration 
which  it  has  already  attained.  Neither  anticipated  that  the  cause 
might  cease  with  or  even  before  the  conflict  should  cease.  Each 
looked  for  an  easier  triumph  and  a  result  less  fundamental  and  as 
tounding. 

"  Both  read  the  same  Bible  and  pray  to  the  same  God,  and  each  in 
vokes  his  aid  against  the  other.  It  may  seem  strange  that  any 
men  should  dare  to  ask  a  just  God's  assistance  in  wringing  their 
bread  from  the  sweat  of  other  men's  faces;  but  let  us  judge  not,  that 
we  be  not  judged.  The  prayers  of  both  could  not  be  answered — that 
of  neither  has  been  answered  fully.  The  Almighty  has  His  own  pur 
poses.  '  Woe  unto  the  world  because  of  offences,  for  it  must  needs  be 
that  offences  come;  but  woe  to  the  man  by  whom  the  offence  cometh.' 
If  we  shall  suppose  that  American  slavery  is  one  of  these  offences, 
which  in  the  providence  of  God  must  needs  come,  but  which  having 
continued  through  His  appointed  time,  He  now  wills  to  remove,  and 
that  He  gives  to  both  North  and  South  this  terrible  war  as  the  woe 
due  to  those  by  whom  the  offences  came,  shall  we  discern  therein 


LIFE  OF  ABBABHAM  LINCOLN.  51 

any  departure  from  these  Divine  attributes  which  the  believers  in  a 
living  God  always  ascribe  to  Him? 

"  Fondly  do  we  hope,  fervently  do  we  pray,  that  this  mighty  scourge 
of  war  may  speedily  pass  away.  Yet,  if  God  wills  that  it  continue 
until  all  the  wealth  piled  by  the  bondman's  two  hundred  and  fifty 
years  of  unrequited  toil  shall  be  sunk,  and  till  every  drop  of  blood 
drawn  with  the  lash  shall  be  paid  by  another  drawn  with  the  sword, 
as  was  said  three  thousand  years  ago,  so,  still  it  must  be  said,  that 
the  judgments  of  the  Lord  are  true  and  righteous  altogether. 

"  With  malice  towards  none,  with  charity  for  all,  with  firmness 
in  the  right,  as  God  gives  us  to  see  the  right,  let  us  strive  on  to 
finish  the  work  we  are  in ;  to  bind  up  the  nation's  wounds,  to  care 
for  him  who  shall  have  borne  the  battle,  and  for  his  widow  and  his 
orphans  ;  to  do  all  that  may  achieve  and  cherish  a  just  and  a  lasting 
peace  among  ourselves  and  with  all  nations." 

The  oath  of  office  was  then  administered  by  Chief-Justice 
Chase  and  the  re-inaugurated  President  escorted  back  to  the 
White  House. 

On  the  24th  of  March  Mr.  Lincoln  went  again  to  the  penin 
sula  to  see  the  close  of  Grant's  campaign.  Petersburg  was  as 
saulted  before  his  eyes,  and  while  at  City  Point,  April  2d, 
Richmond,  the  Rebel  capital  fell  into  our  hands.  The  Presi 
dent  immediately  proceeded  to  the  city,  entering  it  in  triumph, 
arid  in  the  evening  held  a  levee  in  the  late  residence  of  Jeffer 
son  Davis.  This  was  his  hour  of  joy  unmingled.  His  anxious 
hours  of  care  seemed  now  to  be  fast  closing  and  brighter  days 
arising.  His  return  to  Washington  had  nothing  to  dampen 
this  joy.  The  news  of  Lee's  surrender  followed  soon  after,  and 
on  the  eventful  14th  of  April,  1865,  the  day  appointed  for 
raising  once  more  the  old  flag  at  Sumter,  while  awaiting  the 
tidings  of  Johnson's  capture  his  life  was  brought  to  a  sudden 
and  startling  close. 


II. 

ASSASSINATION 
AND    LAST    MOMENTS. 


"  Forgive  them,  for  they  Tcnoio  not  what  they  do  /" 

He  said,  and  so  went  shriven  to  his  fate — 
Unknowing  went,  that  generous  heart  and  true. 

Even  while  he  spoke  the  slayer  lay  in  wait, 

And  when  the  morning  opened  Heaven's  gate 
There  passed  the  whitest  soul  a  nation  knew. 

Henceforth  all  thoughts  of  pardon  are  too  late ; 
They,  in  whose  cause  that  arm  its  weapon  drew, 

Have  murdered  MKUCY.    Now  alone  shall  stand 
Blind  JUSTICE,  with  the  sword  unsheathed  she  wore. 

Hark,  from  the  eastern  to  the  western  strand, 
The  swelling  thunder  of  the  people's  roar: 

What  words  they  murmur — FKTTEB  NOT  HER  HAND! 

SO  LET  IT  SMITH,  SUCH  DKKDS  6UALL  UK  NO  iMOEE  ! 

Edmund  C.  Stedman. 


II. 

THE  ASSASSINATION  AND  LAST  MOMENTS   OF 
THE  PRESIDENT. 


Friday,  the  fourteenth  day  of  April,  will  ever  stand  a  me 
morable  day  in  the  American  annals.  Without  reflecting  on 
its  being  a  day  set  apart  in  many  Christian  denominations  to 
commemorate  in  prayer  and  recollection  the  death  of  the 
Saviour,  it  had  been  at  first  announced  as  a  day  for  public  re 
joicing,  for  it  was  the  anniversary  of  the  evacuation  of  Fort 
Surnter  by  Major  Anderson,  that  opening  scene  of  the  terrible 
civil  war,  which  now  seemed  closed.  Grant's  generalship  had 
driven  Lee  from  Richmond  and  forced  him  to  surrender,  while 
Sherman,  who  had  succeeded  to  his  Western  army,  had  driven 
Johnson  back,  scattered  his  army  when  under  Hood,  and  swept 
around  through  Georgia  and  South  Carolina  into  North  Caro 
lina,  near  enough  to  visit  Grant.  The  war  was  over,  and 
General  Anderson  on  this  eventful  day,  amid  the  thunder  of 
cannon  and  the  thundering  cheers  of  loyal  hearts,  had  again 
raised  his  flag  over  the  ruins  of  Sumter. 

President  Lincoln  was  already  planning  ways  of  peace. 
The  pseudo  Confederacy,  as  an  organization,  was  gone.  Its  last 
great  army  was  at  bay.  The  reduction  of  the  national  army, 
the  diminution  of  the  heavy  expenditures,  the  restoration  of 
the  Southern  States,  the  healing  up  of  the  wounds  of  the  ter 
rible  strife,  such  were  the  thoughts  and  cares  of  the  great  and 
good  man  when  he  was  suddenly  cut  down  by  the  hand  of  a 
cowardly  assassin,  who  struck  from  behind,  for  it  has  been  well 
said,  that  no  one  could  have  looked  Abraham  Lincoln  in  the 
face  and  done  the  deed. 

For  success  in  the  accomplishment  of  the  deadly  purpose, 
for  the  ease  with  which  the  crime  was  perpetrated  and  the 


56  LINCOLN  MEMORIAL. 

murderer's  escape  effected,  the  act  is  almost  without  a  parallel. 
In  the  presence  of  hundreds,  the  chief  of  a  great  nation  was 
murdered  in  an  instant,  and  for  a  long  time  no  trace  of  the  re 
cognized  assassin  could  be  found,  although  he  must  have  gal 
loped  in  the  dead  hour  of  night  past  officers  and  sentries  appa 
rently  unquestioned  and  unchecked. 

A  plot,  the  whole  extent  and  ramifications  of  which  are  not 
yet  made  known,  had  long  been  formed  to  assassinate  the  Pre 
sident  and  the  prominent  members  of  the  Cabinet.  Origi 
nating  apparently  in  the  Confederate  government,  this  act, 
with  others,  such  as  the  attempt  to  fire  New  York,  the  St.  Al- 
ban's  raid,  the  seizure  of  vessels  on  the  lakes  and  at  sea,  was 
confided  to  an  association  of  army  officers,  who  when  sent  on 
these  errands  were  said  to  be  on  detached  service.  There  is 
direct  proof  of  Booth's  actual  consultation  with  officers  known 
to  belong  to  this  organization,  during  Lee's  retreat  from  Get 
tysburg.  The  assassination  of  the  President  was  a  thing  so 
commonly  talked  of  in  the  South  that  it  excited  at  last  no  sur 
prise,  and  one  of  the  Southern  papers  actually  offered  a  re 
ward  for  the  assassination  of  the  President,  Vice-President, 
arid  Secretary  of  State. 

The  documents  already  come  to  light  show  that  a  previous 
attempt  to  take  the  life  of  Mr.  Lincoln,  by  poison,  was  made, 
but  failed.  Then  parties  were  sent  and  employed  to  do  the 
work  surely.  To  John  Wilkes  Booth,  lured  apparently  by  a 
high  reward,  the  great  act  was  committed. 

The  threats  of  assassination  had  at  first  induced  care  on  the 
part  of  the  authorities.  At  the  time  of  the  first  inauguration 
steps  were  taken  to  prevent  the  consummation  of  any  such  ne 
farious  design.  Gradually,  however,  these  threats  were  treated 
lightly,  and  less  precautions  were  taken.  Warning  had  been 
conveyed  to  Mr.  Seward  on  the  day  that  an  accident  laid  him 
a  sufferer  on  his  bed  of  pain,  but  without  inducing  any  unusual 
caution  or  watchfulness. 

The  visit  of  the  President  to  Richmond,  where  he  walked 
unattended,  had  seemed  to  &ome  too  rash,  and  friends  remon 
strated  against  his  thus  imperilling  a  life  on  which  all  America 
had  a  claim.  On  the  very  day  of  his  death  he  wrote  to  General 
Yan  Alen  :  "I  intend  to  adopt  the  advice  of  my  friends  and 
use  due  precaution." 


ASSASSINATION  AND  DYING  MOMENTS.  57 

But  the  time  and  place  of  the  terrible  crime  were  at  last  de 
cided  upon  by  the  band  of  hired  assassins.  One  of  the  chief 
theatres  of  Washington  was  directed  by  John  T.  Ford,  who 
had  placed  the  State  Box,  as  it  was  called,  at  the  disposal  of 
President  Lincoln.  Mr.  Ford  seems  to  have  been  no  party  to 
the  plot,  although  from  his  former  association  with  the  riotous 
class  of  Baltimore  suspicion  may  have  been  at  first  excited. 

The  14th  was  to  be  the  benefit  of  Miss  Laura  Keene,  and  the 
President  .with  General  Grant  and  other  prominent  men  had 
been  invited  and  were  expected  to  be  present.  Whether  this 
invitation  was  part  of  the  plot  or  merely  furnished  the  oppor 
tunity  remains  to  be  seen.  Be  that  as  it  may,  the  theatre  was 
prepared  for  the  fearful  deed. 

The  private  box  adjoined  the  dress  circle,  and  had  two  doors, 
as  it  was  at  times  by  a  partition  converted  into  two  boxes : 
these  doors  opened  into  a  dark  passage,  closed  by  a  door  at  the 
end  of  the  dress  circle.  During  the  day,  or  previously,  John 
Wilkes  Booth,  or  his  accomplice,  Spangler,  the  stage  car 
penter,  had  bored  gimlet  holes  in  the  box  doors,  enlarged 
by  a  pen-knife  on  the  inside  sufficiently  to  enable  him  to  survey 
the  position  of  the  parties  within  at  the  moment  of  action. 
The  hasps  of  the  locks,  which  were  on  the  inside  of  the  box 
doors  had  been  weakened  by  partly  withdrawing  the  screws,  so 
that  a  man  could  easily  press  them  open,  if  locked. 

These  were  not  the  only  preparations.  The  very  arrange 
ment  of  the  chairs  and  sofa  in  the  box  was  evidently  part  of 
the  plan,  and  the  work  of  Booth  or  a  confederate  among  those 
employed  in  the  theatre.  It  gave  an  unobstructed  passage 
from  the  door  to  the  President,  throwing  the  others  at  a  con 
siderable  distance  from  him,  and  in  positions  not  to  observe  an 
entrance.  Mr.  Lincoln's  chair  was  placed  in  the  front  corner 
of  the  box,  furthest  from  the  stage  ;  that  of  Mrs.  Lincoln 
was  more  remote  from  the  front,  and  just  by  the  column  in  the 
centre.  The  other  chair  and  a  sofa  were  placed  at  the  side 
nearest  the  stage,  leaving  the  centre  of  the  box  clear  for  the 
assassin's  operations,  and  enabling  him  to  enter  unseen. 
They  had  also  provided  a  board  to  prevent  the  passage  door 
from  being  opened  from  the  outside  in  case  any  attempt  was 
to  follow  him,  and  they  had  made  a  secret  niche  in  the  opposite 
wall  to  receive  the  end  of  the  board  not  braced  against  the 


58  LINCOLN  MEMORIAL. 

door.  For  the  criminal  act  Booth  selected  a  small  silver 
mounted  Derringer  pistol  and  a  bowie  knife.  He.  had 
long  shown  a  nicked  bullet  with  which  he  declared  that  he  in 
tended  to  kill  the  President,  and  during  a  recent  visit  to  Boston 
spent  much  of  his  time  at  the  pistol  gallery  of  Floyd  and  Ed 
wards,  on  Chapman  Place,  practising  firing  behind  his  neck, 
between  his  legs,  and  in  many  strange  and  awkward  positions. 
For  his  escape  he  had  no  less  carefully  provided.  He  took  a 
stable  in  the  alley  in  the  rear  of  the  theatre,  and  on  the  after 
noon  of  Friday  hired  of  James  Pumphrey  a  fine  bay  mare, 
and  taking  it  to  the  stable  employed  Spangler,  the  stage  car 
penter,  to  watch  it.  It  was  saddled  and  ready  to  mount,  as 
he  had  ordered  the  bridle  not  to  be  taken  off;  he  put  his 
horse-  in  charge  of  Spangler,  who  promised  to  give  him  all  aid 
in  his  power,  and  who  prepared  the  scenes  so  that  he  could 
readily  reach,  the  back  door.  Of  this  door  Spangler  took 
charge,  relieving  the  boy  who  was  sent  to  hold  Booth's  horse 
during  the  performance. 

An  illegitimate  son  of  the  celebrated  English  actor  Booth, 
John  Wilkes  had  inherited  a  small  share  of  his  father's  talent 
and  more  than  his  madness.  His  wild  and  dissipated  life,  his 
unsteadiness  and  low  associations,  had  lost  him  the  counte 
nance  of  most  of  his  friends,  but  no  importance  was  attached 
to  his  boasts  and  threats.  In  Washington,  however,  from  his 
dress  and  manners  he  was  received  into  social  circles  from 
which  his  life  should  have  excluded  him  for  ever.  He  was, 
therefore,  a  man  as  little  likely  to  excite  suspicion  as  anyone 
that  could  have  been  selected. 

The  assassin  spent  most  of  Friday  in  a  very  excited  manner, 
drinking  frequently  at  the  bar  of  a  saloon  next-door  to  the 
theatre.  During  the  afternoon,  he  called  at  the  Kirkwood 
House,  where  Yice-President  Johnson  resided,  and  sent  up  a 
card,  \vith  these  words : 

"  I  don't  wish  to  disturb  you,  but  would  be  glad  to  have  an 
interview. 

"  J.  WILKES  BOOTH.'* 

Mr.  Johnson  was  fortunately  not  within,  and  to  this,  prob 
ably,  owes  his  life.  It  seems  strange  that  Booth  should  have 


ASSASSINATION  AND  DYING  MOMENTS.  59 

attempted  this  crime  while  arranging  for  the  other,  but  the  one 
deputed  to  kill  the  Yiee-President  seenis  to  have  become 
alarmed,  and  Booth,  after  failing  to  reach  Mr.  Johnson,  re 
turned  to  his  hotel  about  four  o'clock,  and  wrote  a  letter  to 
his  mother,  apparently  under  great  excitement.  He  took  his 
tea  at  the  hotel  at  the  usual  hour,  and  then  proceeded  to  the 
theatre.  Colored  people  living  on  the  alley  saw  him  in  con 
ference  with  Spangler,  and  placing  his  horse  in  position  after 
the  hour  when  the  performance  commenced.  Others  saw  him 
around  the  entrance  soon  after.  An  officer,  as  we  shall  see, 
saw  him  enter  the  passage  leading  to  the  State  Box,  but  nei 
ther  the  police  in  front,  the  soldier  who  overheard  his  language 
full  of  menace  against  the  President,  nor  the  officer  whom  his 
apparent  rudeness  shocked,  nor  the  President's  own  attendant, 
seemed  to  have  had  the  slightest  suspicion  of  the  coming  tra 
gedy.  No  angel  whispered  a  word  of  warning.  Providence 
permitted  the  lull  of  security  to  surround  all. 

But  we  will  now  follow  President  Lincoln  in  the  events  of 
the  day  which  closed  his  mortal  career  with  such  appalling 
suddenness. 

His  son,  Captain  Robert  Lincoln,  who  is  on  General  Grant's 
staff,  breakfasted  with  him  on  Friday  morning,  having  just 
returned  from  the  capitulation  of  Lee,  and  the  President  passed 
a  happy  hour  listening  to  all  the  details.  While  at  breakfast, 
he  heard  that  Speaker  Colfax  was  in  the  house,  and  sent  word 
that  he  wished  to  see  him  immediately  in  the  reception-room. 
He  conversed  with  him  nearly  an  hour  about  his  future  policy 
as  to  the  rebellion,  which  he  was  about  to  submit  to  the  cab 
inet.  Afterward,  he  had  an  interview  with  Mr.  Hale,  minister 
to  Spain,  and  several  senators  and  representatives. 

At  eleven  o'clock,  the  cabinet  and  General  Grant  met  with 
him  ;  and,  in  one  of  the  most  satisfactory  and  important  cab 
inet  meetings  held  since  his  first  inauguration,  the  future  policy 
of  the  administration  in  the  great  work  of  reconstruction,  and 
restoring  the  Southern  States  to  their  ancient  place  beside 
their  sister  States,  was  harmoniously  and  unanimously  agreed 
on.  When  it  adjourned,  Secretary  Stan  ton  said  he  felt 
that  the  government  was  stronger  than  at  any  previous 
period  since  the  rebellion  commenced  ;  and  the  President  is 
said,  in  his  characteristic  way,  to  have  told  them  that  some 


60  LINCOLN  MEMORIAL. 

important  news  would  soon  come,  as  he  had  had  a  dream  of  a 
ship  sailing  very  rapidly,  and  had  invariably  had  that  same 
dream  before  great  events  in  the  war,  Bull  Run,  Antietam, 
Gettysburg,  &c. 

In  the  afternoon,  the  President  had  a  long  and  pleasant  in 
terview  with  Governor  Oglesby,  Senator  Yates,  and  other 
leading  citizens  of  his  State.  In  the  evening,  Mr.  Colfax 
called  again  at  his  request,  and  Mr,  Ashmun,  of  Massachusetts, 
who  presided  over  the  Chicago  Convention  of  1860,  was 
present.  To  them  he  spoke  of  his  visit  to  Richmond,  and 
when  they  stated  that  there  was  much  uneasiness  at  the  North 
while  he  was  at  the  rebel  capital,  for  fear  that  some  traitor 
might  shoot  him,  he  replied  jocularly  that  he  would  have  been 
alarmed  himself  if  any  other  person  had  been  President,  and 
gone  there,  but  that  he  did  not  feel  any  danger  whatever. 
Conversing  on  a  matter  of  business  with  Mr.  Ashmun,  he  made 
a  remark  that  he  saw  Mr.  Ashmun  was  surprised  at;  and 
immediately,  with  his  well-known  kindness  of  heart,  said, 
u  You  did  not  understand  me,  Ashmun ;  I  did  not  mean  what 
you  inferred,  and  I  will  take  it  all  back,  and  apologize  for  it." 
He  afterwards  gave  Mr.  Ashmun  a  card,  written  on  his  knee, 
to  admit  himself  and  friend  early  the  next  morning  to  converse 
further  about  it. 

Turning  to  Mr.  Colfax,  he  said,  "  You  are  going  with  Mrs. 
Lincoln  and  me  to  the  theatre,  I  hope."  But  Mr.  Colfax  had 
other  engagements,  expecting  to  leave  the  city  the  next 
morning. 

He  then  said  to  Mr.  Colfax,  "  Mr.  Sumner  has  the  gavel  of 
the  Confederate  Congress,  which  he  got  at  Richmond  to  hand 
to  the  Secretary  of  war,  but  I  insisted  then  that  he  must  give 
it  to  you ;  and  you  tell  him  for  me  to  hand  it  over."  Mr. 
Ashmun  alluded  to  the  gavel  which  he  still  had,  and  which  he 
had  used  at  the  Chicago  Convention,  and  the  President  and 
Mrs.  Lincoln,  who  was  also  in  the  parlor,  rose  to  go  to  the 
theatre.  It  was  half  an  hour  after  the  time  they  had  intended 
,to  start,  and  they  spoke  about  waiting  half  an  hour  longer, 
for  the  President  went  with  reluctance,  as  General  Grant  had 
gone  north,  and  he  did  not  wish  the  people  to  be  disappointed, 
as  they  had  both  been  advertised  to  be  there. 

Mr.  Lincoln  finally  stated  that  lie  must  go  to  the  theatre,  and 


ASSASSINATION  AND  DYING  MOMENTS.  61 

warmly  pressed  Speaker  Colfax  and  Mr.  Ashmun  to  accompany 
him ;  but  they  excused  themselves  on  the  score  of  previous  en 
gagements.  At  about  8  p.  M.,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lincoln  started 
for  the  carriage,  the  latter  taking  the  arm  of  Mr.  Ashmun,  and 
the  President  and  Mr.  Colfax  walking  together.  As  soon  as 
the  President  and  Mrs.  Lincoln  were  seated  in  the  carriage,  the 
latter  gave  orders  to  the  coachman  to  drive  around  to  Senator 
Harris'  residence  for  Miss  Harris.  As  the  carriage  rolled  away 
they  both  said  "good-by,  good-by,"  to  Messrs.  Ashmun  and 
Colfax,  and  the  carriage  had  in  a  moment  more  disappeared 
from  the  grounds  in  front  of  the  White  House. 

As  they  proceeded  at  once  to  the  residence  of  Senator  Harris, 
we  cannot  give  an  account  more  detailed  or  authentic  than  that 
delivered  under  oath  by  Major  Rathbone,  the  step-son  of  the 
Hon.  Mr.  Harris,  and  which  Miss  Harris  confirms  in  every 
particular. 

"  Henry  R.  Rathbone,  Brevet  Major  in  the  Army  of  the  United 
States,  being  duly  sworn,  says,  that  on  the  14th  day  of  April,  in 
stant,  at  about  twenty-minutes  past  eight  o'clock  in  the  evening, 
he,  with  Miss  Clara  H.  Harris,  left  his  residence  at  the  corner  of 
Fifteenth  and  H  streets,  and  joined  the  President  and  Mrs.  Lincoln 
and  went  with  them  in  their  carriage  to  Ford's  Theatre  in  Tenth 
street.  The  box  assigned  to  the  President  is  in  the  second  tier  on 
the  right-hand  side  of  the  audience,  and  was  occupied  by  the  Presi 
dent  and  Mrs.  Lincoln,  Miss  Harris,  and  this  deponent,  and  by  no 
other  person.  The  box  is  entered  by  passing-  from  the  front  of  the 
building-  in  the  rear  of  the  dress  circle  to  a  small  entry  or  passage 
way,  about  eight  feet  in  length  and  four  feet  in  width.  This  pas 
sageway  is  entered  by  a  door  which  opens  on  the  inner  side.  The 
door  is  so  placed  as  to  make  an  acute  angle  between  it  and  the 
wall  behind  it  on  the  inner  side.  At  the  inner  end  of  this  passage 
way  is  another  door,  standing  squarely  across,  and  opening  into 
the  box.  On  the  left-hand  side  of  the  passageway,  and  being  near 
the  inner  end,  is  a  third  door,  which  also  opens  into  the  box.  This 
latter  door  was  closed.  The  party  entered  the  box  through  the 
door  at  the  end  of  the  passageway.  The  box  is  so  constructed  that 
it  may  be  divided  into  two  by  a  movable  partition,  one  of  the  doors 
described  opening  into  each.  The  front  of  the  box  is  about  ten  or 
twelve  feet  in  length,  and  in  the  centre  of  the  railing  is  a  small 
pillar  overhung  with  a  curtain.  The  depth  of  the  box  from  front 


62  LINCOLN  MEMORIAL. 

to  rear  is  about  nine  feet.     The  elevation  of  the  box  above  the 
stage,  including  the  railing,  is  about  ten  or  twelve  feet. 

"  When  the  party  entered  the  box,  a  cushioned  arm  chair  was 
standing  at  the  end  of  the  box  furthest  from  the  stage  and  nearest 
the  audience.  This  was  also  the  nearest  point  to  the  door  by  which 
the  box  is  entered.  The  President  seated  himself  in  this  chair,  and, 
except  that  he  once  left  the  chatr  for  the  purpose  of  putting  on  his 
overcoat,  remained  so  seated  until  he  was  shot.  Mrs.  Lincoln  was 
seated  in  a  chair  between  the  President  and  the  pillar  in  the  centre 
above  described.  At  the  opposite  end  of  the  box,  that  nearest  the 
stage,  were  two  chairs,  in  one  of  these,  standing  in  the  corner,  Miss 
Harris  was  seated.  At  her  left  hand,  and  along  the  wall  running 
from  that  end  of  the  box  to  the  rear,  stood  a  small  sofa.  At  the 
end  of  this  sofa,  next  to  Miss  Harris,  this  deponent  was  seated. 
The  distance  between  this  deponent  arid  the  President,  as  they  were 
sitting,  was  about  seven  or  eight  feet,  and  the  distance  between 
this  deponent  and  the  door  was  about  the  same.  The  distance  be 
tween  the  President,  as  he  sat,  and  the  door  was  about  four  or  five 
feet.  The  door,  according  to  the  recollection  of  this  deponent, 
was  not  closed  during  the  evening. 

"  When  the  second  scene  of  the  third  act  was  being  performed, 
and  this  deponent  was  intently  observing  the  proceedings  upon  the 
stage,  with  his  back  towards  the  door,  he  heard  the  discharge  of  a 
pistol  behind  him,  and  looking  around,  saw  through  the  smoke  a 
man  between  the  door  and  the  President.  At  the  same  time  depo 
nent  heard  him  shout  some  word  which  deponent  thinks  was  '  Free 
dom.'  This  deponent  instantly  sprang  towards  him  and  seized  him. 
He  wrested  himself  from  the  grasp  and  made  a  violent  thrust  at 
the  breast  of  deponent  with  a  large  knife.  Deponent  parried  the 
blow  by  striking  it  up,  and  received  a  wound  several  inches  deep 
in  his  left  arm  between  the  elbow  and  the  shoulder.  The  orifice  of 
the  wound  is  about  an  inch  and  a  half  in  length,  and  extends  up 
wards  towards  the  shoulder  several  inches.  The  man  rushed  to  the 
front  of  the  box  and  deponent  endeavored  to  seize  him  again,  but 
only  caught  his  clothes  as  he  was  leaping  over  the  railing  of  the 
box.  The  clothes,  as  deponent  believes,  were  torn  in  this  attempt 
to  seize  him.  As  he  went  over  upon  the  stage,  deponent  cried  out 
with  a  loud  voice,  '  Stop  that  man.'  Deponent  then  turned  to  the 
President.  His  position  was  not  changed.  His  head  was  slightly 
bent  forward  and  his  eyes  were  closed.  Deponent  saw  that  he  was 
unconscious,  and,  supposing  him  mortally  wounded,  rushed  to  the 
door  for  the  purpose  of  calling  medical  aid.  On  reaching  the  outer 
door  of  the  passageway  as  above  described,  deponent  found  it 


ASSASSINATION  AND  DYING  MOMENTS.  63 

barred  by  a  heavy  piece  of  plank,  one  end  of  which  was  secured 
in  the  wall  and  the  other  rested  against  the  door.  It  had  been  so 
securely  fastened  that  it  required  considerable  force  to  remove  it. 
This  wedge  or  bar  was  about  four  feet  from  the  floor.  Persons 
upon  the  outside  were  beating  against  the  door  for  the  purpose  of 
entering.  Deponent  removed  the  bar  arid  the  door  was  opened. 
Several  persons  who  represented  themselves  to  be  surgeons  were 
allowed  to  enter.  Deponent  saw  there  Colonel  Crawford,  and  re 
quested  him  to  prevent  other  persons  from  entering  the  box.  De 
ponent  then  returned  to  the  box  and  found  the  surgeons  examining 
the  President's  person.  They  had  not  yet  discovered  the  wound. 
As  soon  as  it  was  discovered  it  was  determined  to  remove  him 
from  the  theatre.  He  was  carried  out,  and  this  deponent  then  pro 
ceeded  to  assist  Mrs.  Lincoln,  who  was  intensely  excited,  to  leave 
the  theatre.  On  reaching  the  head  of  the  stairs  deponent  requested 
Major  Potter  to  aid  him  in  assisting  Mrs.  Lincoln  across  the  street 
to  the  house  to  which  the  President  was  being  conveyed.  The 
wound  which  deponent  had  received  had  been  bleeding  very  pro 
fusely,  and,  on  reaching  the  house,  feeling  very  faint  from  the  loss 
of  blood,  he  seated  himself  in  the  hall,  and  soon  after  fainted  away 
and  was  laid  upon  the  floor.  Upon  the  return  of  consciousness  de 
ponent  was  taken  in  a  carriage  to  his  residence. 

"  In  the  review  of  the  transaction,  it  is  the  confident  belief  of  the 
deponent  that  the  time  which  elapsed  between  the  discharge  of  the 
pistol  and  the  time  when  the  assassin  leaped  from  the  box,  did  not 
exceed  thirty  seconds.  Neither  Mrs.  Lincoln  nor  Miss  Harris  had 
left  their  seats." 

H.  R.  RATHBONE. 
Subscribed  and  sworn  before  me  ) 

this  17th  day  of  April,  1865,      ) 

A.  B.  OLIN, 

Justice  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  the 
District  of  Columbia. 

District  of  Columbia,  City  of  Washington,  ss : 

"  Clara  H.  Harris,  being  duly  sworn,  says,  that  she  has  read  the 
foregoing  affidavit  of  Major  Rathbone,  and  knows  the  contents 
thereof ;  that  she  was  present  at  Ford's  Theatre  with  the  President 
and  Mrs.  Lincoln,  and  Major  Rathbone,  on  the  evening  of  the  14th 
of  April,  instant;  that  at  the  time  she  heard  the  discharge  of  the 
pistol  she  was  attentively  engaged  in  observing  what  was  transpir 
ing  upon  the  stage,  and  looking  around  she  saw  Major  Rathbone 
spring  from  his  seat  and  advance  to  the  opposite  side  of  the  box; 
that  she  saw  him  engaged  as  if  in  a  struggle  with  another  man,  but 


G4:  LINCOLN  MEMORIAL. 

the  smoke  with  which  he  was  enveloped  prevented  this  deponent 
from  seeing  distinctly  the  other  man;  that  the  first  time  she  saw 
him  distinctly  was  when  he  leaped  from  the  box  upon  the  stage  ; 
that  she  then  heard  Major  Rathbone  cry  out,  '  Stop  that  man/  and 
this  deponent  then  immediately  repeated  the  cry,  '  Stop  that  man/ 
4  Won't  somebody  stop  that  man  V  A  moment  after,  some  one  from 
the  stage  asked,  '  What  is  it  ?'  or  '  What  is  the  matter  V  and  de 
ponent  replied,  '  The  President  is  shot.'  Very  soon  after  two  per 
sons,  one  wearing  the  uniform  of  a  naval  surgeon  and  the  other 
that  of  a  soldier  of  the  Veteran  Reserve  Corps,  came  upon  the  stage, 
and  the  deponent  assisted  them  in  climbing  up  to  the  box. 

"  And  this  deponent  further  says,  that  the  facts  stated  in  the  fore 
going  affidavit,  so  far  as  the  same  came  to  the  knowledge  or  notice 
of  the  deponent,  are  accurately  stated  therein. 

CLARA  H.  HARRIS." 
Subscribed  and  sworn  before  me. 

this  17th  day  of  April,  1865, 

A.  B.  OLIN, 

Justice  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  the 
District  of  Columbia. 


me,  ) 
>,      \ 


Such  is  the  account  of  the  brief  but  tragic  act  given  by  one 
within  the  box.  One  of  the  actors  at  the  moment  on  the  stage, 
makes  the  following  statement,  showing  what  was  seen  from 
his  position,  and  he  was  the  only  one  of  the  company  on  the 
stage,  at  the  time,  Miss  Laura  Keane  being  about  to  enter : 

"  I  was,"  says  Mr.  Hawke,  "  playing  '  Asa  Trenchard/  in  the  Ameri 
can  Cousin.'  The  '  old  lady'  of  the  theatre  had  just  gone  off  the  stage, 
and  I  was  answering  her  exit  speech  when  I  heard  the  shot  fired.  I 
turned,  looked  up  at  the  President's  box,  heard  the  man  exclaim 
'  Sic  semper  tyrannis/  saw  him  jump  from  the  box,  seize  the  flag  on 
the  staff,  and  drop  to  the  stage  ;  he  slipped  when  he  gained  the  stage, 
but  got  upon  his  feet  in  a  moment,  brandished  a  large  knife,  saying 
'  The  South  shall  be  free  !'  turned  his  face  in  the  direction  I  stood, 
and  I  recognized  him  as  John  Wilkes  Booth.  He  ran  towards  me, 
and  I,  seeing  the  knife,  thought  I  was  the  one  he  was  after,  ran  off 
the  stage  and  up  a  flight  of  stairs.  He  made  his  escape  out  of  a 
door,  directly  in  the  rear  of  the  theatre,  mounted  a  horse  and  rode 
off. 

"  The  above  all  occurred  in  the  space  of  a  quarter  of  a  minute, 
and,  at  the  time,  I  did  not  know  that  the  President  was  shot ;  al 
though  if  I  had  tried  to  stop  him,  he  would  have  stabbed  me." 


ASSASSINATION  AND  DYING  MOMENTS.  65 

Few  of  the  audience  had  any  idea  of  what  was  occurring,  but 
Captain  Theodore  McGowan,  A.  A.G.  to  General  Augur,  makes 
this  statement : 

"On  the  night  of  Friday,  April  14,  1865,  in  company  with  a 
friend  I  went  to  Ford's  theatre.  Arriving  there  just  after  the  en 
trance  of  President  Lincoln  and  the  party  accompanying  him,  my  friend 
Lieutenant  Crawford,  and  I,  after  viewing  the  Presidential  party 
from  the  opposite  side  of  the  dress  circle,  went  to  the  right  side,  and 
ook  seats  in  the  passage  above  the  seats  of  the  dress  circle,  and 
about  five  feet  from  the  door  of  the  box  occupied  by  President  Lin 
coln.  During  the  performance,  the  attendant  of  the  President  came 
out  and  took  the  chair  nearest  the  door.  I  sat,  and  had  been  sit 
ting,  about  four  feet  to  his  left  and  rear,  for  some  time. 

"  I  remember  that  a  man,  whose  face  I  do  not  distinctly  recollect, 
passed  me,  and  inquired  of  one  sitting  near  who  the  President's 
messenger  was,  and  learning,  exhibited  to  him  an  envelope,  appar 
ently  official,  having  a  printed  heading,  and  superscribed  in  a  bold 
hand.  I  could  not  read  the  address,  and  did  not  try.  /  think  now 
it  was  meant  for  Lieutenant- General  Grant.  That  man  went  away. 

"  Some  time  after  I  was  disturbed  in  my  seat  by  the  approach  of  a 
man  who  desired  to  pass  up  on  the  aisle  in  which  I  was  sitting. 
Giving  him  room  by  bending  my  chair  forward,  he  passed  me,  and 
stepped  one  step  down  on  the  level  below  me.  Standing  there,  he 
was  almost  in  my  line  of  sight,  and  I  saw  him,  while  watching  the 
play.  He  stood,  as  I  remember,  one  step  above  the  messenger, 
and  remained  perhaps  one  minute  apparently  looking  at  the  stage 
and  orchestra  below.  Then  he  drew  a  number  of  visiting  cards 
from  his  pocket,  from  which,  with  some  attention,  he  drew  or  se 
lected  one.  These  things  I  saw  distinctly.  I  saw  him  stoop,  and 
I  think,  descend  to  the  level  of  the  messenger,  and  by  his  right 
side.  He  showed  the  card  to  the  messenger,  and  as  my  attention 
was  then  more  closely  fixed  upon  the  play,  I  do  not  know  whether 
the  card  was  carried  in  by  the  messenger,  or  his  consent  given  to 
the  entrance  of  the  man  who  presented  it.  I  saw,  a  few  moments 
after,  the  same  man  entering  the  door  of  the  lobby  leading  to  the 
box  and  the  door  closing  behind  him.  This  was  seen  because  I 
could  not  fail  from  my  position  to  observe  it ;  the  door  side  of  the 
proscenium  box  and  the  stage  were  all  within  the  direct  and  oblique 
lines  of  my  sight.  How  long  I  watched  the  pla^  after  entering  I 
do  not  know.  It  was,  perhaps,  two  or  three  minutes,  possibly  four. 
The  house  was  perfectly  still,  the  large  audience  listening  to  the 
dialogue  between  '  Florence  Trenchard'  and  '  May  Meredith/  when 

5 


66  ASSASSINATION  AND  DYING  MOMENTS. 

the  sharp  report  of  a  pistol  rang-  through  the  house.  It  was  appar 
ently  fired  behind  the  scenes,  on  the  right  of  the  stage.  Looking  to 
wards  it  and  behind  the  Presidential  box,  while  it  startled  all,  it  was 
evidently  accepted  by  every  one  in  the  theatre  as  an  introduction 
to  some  new  passage,  several  of  which  had  been  interpolated  in  the 
early  part  of  the  play.  A  moment  after  a  man  leaped  from  the  front 
of  the  box,  directly  down  nine  feet  on  the  stage,  and  ran  rapidly 
across  it,  bare-headed,  holding  an  unsheathed  dagger  in  his  right 
hand,  the  blade  of  which  flashed  brightly  in  the  gaslight  as  he  came 
within  ten  feet  of  the  opposite  rear  exit.  I  did  not  see  his  face 
as  he  leaped  or  ran,  but  I  am  convinced  he  was  the  man  I  saw  en 
ter.  As  he  leaped  he  cried  distinctly  the  motto  of  Virginia,  '  Sic 
Semper  Tyrannis.'  The  hearing  of  this  and  the  sight  of  the  dagger 
explained  fully  to  me  the  nature  of  the  deed  he  had  committed.  In 
an  instant  he  had  disappeared  behind  the  side  scene.  Consternation 
seemed  for  a  moment  to  rivet  every  one  to  his  seat,  the  next  mo 
ment  confusion  reigned  supreme.  I  saw  the  features  of  the  man 
distinctly  before  he  entered  the  box,  having  surveyed  him  contempt 
uously  before  he  entered,  supposing  him  to  be  an  ill-bred  fellow  who 
was  pressing  a  selfish  matter  on  the  President  in  his  hours  of  leisure. 
The  assassin  of  the  President  is  about  five  feet  nine  and  a  half  inches 
high,  black  hair,  and  I  think  eyes  of  the  same  color.  He  did  not 
turn  his  face  more  than  quarter  front,  as  artists  term  it.  His  face 
was  smooth,  as  I  remember,  with  the  exception  of  a  moustache  of 
moderate  size,  but  of  this  I  am  not  positive.  He  was  dressed  in  a 
black  coat,  approximating  to  a  dress  frock,  dark  pants,  and  wore  a 
stiff-rimmed,  flat-topped  round  crowned  black  hat  of  felt,  I  think.  He 
was  a  gentlemanly  looking  person,  having  no  decided  or  obtruding 
mark.  He  seemed  for  a  moment  or  two  to  survey  the  house  with  the 
deliberation  of  an  habitue  of  the  theatre." 

Several  had  observed  Booth  around  the  entrance  of  the 
theatre  and  the  boxes,  but  neither  this  nor  his  leaving  his  horse 
in  the  rear,  from  his  profession  and  actual  occasional  appearance 
on  the  boards  of  the  theatre,  could  or  did  excite  the  slightest 
suspicion.  A  soldier,  however,  states  that  he  heard  him  and 
another  man  in  front  of  the  theatre,  speaking  as  though  they 
intended  to  attack  the  President  as  he  came  out :  he  states  too 
that  men  stationed  apparently  at  intervals,  kept  calling  out  the 
time  every  few  minutes,  evidently  to  notify  confederates  in  the 
rear.  All  the  preparations  however,  show  that  the  box  was  the 
place  appointed  in  the  councils  of  the  conspirators. 


LINCOLN  MEMORIAL.  37 

At  the  moment  of  the  fearful  deed  the  President  was  seated 
in  a  large  and  comfortable  crimson  velvet  patent  rocking-chair, 
his  right  elbow  upon  the  arm  of  the  chair,  and  his  head  resting 
upon  his  hand.  The  left  hand  was  extended  to  pull  aside 
the  flag  (belonging  to  the  Treasury  Guard),  which  draped  the  side 
of  the  box  nearest  him.  His  eyes  were  directed  towards  the  or 
chestra,  a  kindly  smile  upon  his  face.  At  this  instant  the  as 
sassin  burst  open  the  door  immediately  behind  the  President, 
and  deliberately  shot  him,  as  already  stated.  It  was  all 
the  work  of  a  moment !  The  flash  of  the  pistol,  the  curl 
ing  of  the  smoke,  were  scarce  noticed,  when  the  murderer 
was  seen  to  spring  from  the  box  on  the  stage  beneath,  some 
twelve  feet  distant.  As  the  intruder  struck  the  stage,  he  fell 
forward,  but  soon  gathered  himself  up  and  turned,  erect,  in  full 
view  of  the  audience.  With  singular  audacity  the  assassin  stood 
there  long  enough  to  photograph  himself  forever  even  in  the 
minds  of  those  among  the  throng  who  had  never  seen  him  be 
fore.  They  saw  a  slim,  graceful  figure,  elegantly  clad,  waving 
a  dagger  with  a  gesture  that  none  but  a  tragedian  by  profession 
would  have  made ;  a  classic  face,  pale  as  marble,  lighted  up  by 
two  gleaming  eyes — which  had  made  crowds  shudder  often  in 
past  days  when  Gloster  struggled  with  death  in  mimic  phrensy — 
and  surmounted  by  waves  of  curling,  jet  black  hair.  The  as 
sassin,  with  calmness  which  only  could  come  of  careful  premed 
itation,  uttered  the  words,  "  Sic  Semper  Tyrannis"  in  tones  so 
sharp  and  clear  that  every  person  in  the  theatre  heard  them. 
He  said  something  more,  but  in  that  second  of  time  Mrs.  Lin 
coln  had  screamed  in  horror,  the  unusual  occurrences  had 
created  an  excitement,  the  audience  begun  to  rise,  and  no  one 
heard  the  words  distinctly.  Booth,  who  already  heard  his 
name  pronounced  by  a  score  of  lips,  waited  for  no  further 
bravado,  but  rushed  across  the  stage,  by  Dundreary,  by  Flor 
ence  Trenchard,  at  the  wing,  rudely  pushing  Miss  Keane  out  of 
his  way,  as  she  stood  ready  to  come  upon  the  stage,  down  the 
long  passage  behind  the  scenes,  thrusting  his  knife  at  a  man 
who  seemed  to  interrupt  his  flight,  and  out  by  the  stage  door 
into  the  darkness.  Only  one  man,  Mr.  J.  B.  Stewart,  of  the 
Washington  bar,  had  presence  of  mind  to  pursue  him ;  but  un 
familiar  with  the  theatre,  Booth  reached  the  back  door  before 
him,  and  closing  it,  was  enabled  to  thrust  aside  the  boy  and 


68  LINCOLN  MEMORIAL. 

spring  to  his  saddle,  before  Mr.  Stewart  could  open  it.  All  was 
instant  ly  confusion  in  front.  Both  before  and  behind  the  scenes 
every  one  knew  that  the  President  had  been  shot.  Actors  rushed 
upon  the  stage,  and  the  audience  into  the  orchestra.  Mr.  Lin 
coln  had  sunk  down  without  a  groan  or  a  struggle.  Mrs.  Lin 
coln  had  fainted  after  her  first  shriek — Major  Eathbone  was 
disabled  by  a  stab  which  Booth's  knife  had  given  him  in  the 
struggle — Miss  Harris  was  bewildered  by  the  sudden  and  fear 
ful  occurrence.  The  audience  surged  to  and  fro  in  frantic  ex 
citement.  Some  attempted  to  climb  up  the  supports  and  into 
the  box.  Then  came  those  clear  and  distinct  tones  of  Laura 
Keene,  first  in  the  theatre  to  understand  and  appreciate  the 
emergency : — "  Keep  quiet  in  your  seats — give  him  air."  In 
another  moment  certain  gentlemen  found  presence  of  mind  to 
order  the  throng  to  leave  the  theatre.  The  gas  was  turned  down. 
The  crowd  at  last  animated  by  an  impulse  pushed  for  the  outer 
doors. 

As  the  news  spread  through  the  city,  another  horror  fell  upon 
all.  It  was  announced  that,  simultaneously  with  the  tragic 
events  at  Ford's  theatre,  and,  as  near  as  can  be  ascertained,  at 
the  precise  moment,  another  fiend  entered  the  house  of  Secre 
tary  Seward,  after  some  parleying  with  the  servants,  and,  it 
seems,  there  dealt  out  his  blows  in  all  directions.  Some  six 
or  seven  persons  who  were  in  attendance  upon  the  family 
during  the  night  have  made  their  positive  statements  of  the 
manner  in  which  the  assault  was  made  here.  It  is  well  estab 
lished  that  Payne,  the  assassin,  applied  at  Seward's  residence  as 
the  pretended  bearer  of  a  prescription  of  medicine.  Having 
succeeded  in  evading  the  servant  at  the  door,  he  rushed  to 
Seward's  chamber,  but  was  confronted  by  Frederick  Seward, 
when  he  had  quite  a  parley  for  a  moment  about  the  medicine 
which  he  had  been  directed  to  deliver  in  person.  Finding  that 
he  could  not  succeed  in  that  way,  he  made  an  attack  upon 
Frederick  Seward.  The  desperado  was  a  large  and  powerful 
man.  He  was  determined  to  enter  the  bedchamber,  and  drew 
his  pistol  and  snapped  it  twice,  but  did  not  succeed  in  discharg 
ing  it.  He  struck  Seward  twice  upon  the  head  with  such  force 
that  it  not  only  felled  him  to  the  floor,  and  crushed  the  skull  in 
two  or  three  places,  but  also  breaking  the  pistol,  separating  the 
chamber  from  the  barrel.  He  then  immediately  rushed  into 


ASSASSINATION  AND  DYING  MOMENTS.  69 

the  room,  and  applied  his  knife  to  Secretary  Seward,  who  was 
lying  prostrate  in  bed.  It  is  evident,  from  the  wounds,  that  he 
tried  to  cut  the  Secretary's  throat.  He  succeeded  in  inflicting 
severe  gashes  upon  his  face,  laying  open  both  cheeks ;  but  his 
blows  were  partially  warded  off  by  the  bedclothes  about  the 
Secretary's  neck,  and  by  the  additional  fact  that  Mr.  Seward 
rolled  out  upon  the  floor.  A  soldier,  acting  as  nurse,  mean 
while  sprung  upon  the  assassin.  He  stabbed  the  soldier  in  the 
side,  and  succeeded  in  breaking  away,  and,  after  wounding 
Major  Seward,  another  son  of  the  Secretary,  and  an  attendant, 
succeeded  in  making  his  escape  from  the  house,  mounted  his 
horse  and  rode  away,  shouting,  like  Booth,  "  Sic  Semper  Tyran- 
nis  /"  as  he  sprang  into  the  saddle. 

The  surgeons  who  entered  found  Mr.  Lincoln  insensible,  and 
were  satisfied  the  wound  was  mortal.  They  immediately  pre 
pared  to  carry  the  body  from  the  box,  and  it  was  with  difficulty 
borne  out  of  the  theatre  and  across  the  street  to  the  house  of  a 
Mr.  Petersen.  The  Hon.  M.  B.  Field,  Assistant-Secretary  of 
the  Treasury,  in  a  letter,  thus  describes  the  place  and  sad  scene 
enacted  there : — 

I  proceeded  at  once  to  the  room  in  which  the  President  was 
lying,  which  was  a  bedroom  in  an  extension,  on  the  first  or  parlor 
floor  of  the  house.  The  room  is  small,  and  is  ornamented  with  prints, 
a  very  familiar  one  of  Landseer's,  a  white  horse,  being  prominent, 
directly  over  the  bed.  The  bed  was  a  double  one,  and  I  found  the 
President  lying  diagonally  across  it,  with  his  head  at  the  outside. 
The  pillows  were  saturated  with  blood,  and  there  was  considerable 
blood  upon  the  floor  immediately  under  him.  There  was  a  patch 
work  coverlet  thrown  over  the  President,  which  was  only  so  far  re 
moved,  from  time  to  time,  as  to  enable  the  physicians  in  attendance 
to  feel  the  arteries  of  the  neck  or  the  heart,  and  he  appeared  to  have 
been  divested  of  all  clothing.  His  eyes  were  closed  and  injected 
with  blood,  both  the  lids  and  the  portion  surrounding  the  eyes  being 
as  black  as  if  they  had  been  bruised  by  violence.  He  was  breath 
ing  regularly,  but  with  effort,  and  did  not  seem  to  be  struggling  or 
suffering.  .  .  . 

For  several  hours,  the  breathing  above  described  continued  reg 
ularly,  and  apparently  without  pain  or  consciousness.  But  about 
7  o'clock  a  change  occurred,  and  the  breathing,  which  had  been 
continuous,  was  interrupted  at  intervals.  These  intervals  became 
more  frequent  and  of  longer  duration,  and  the  breathing  more 


70  LINCOLN  MEMORIAL. 

feeble.  Several  times  the  interval  was  so  long,  that  we  thought 
him  dead,  and  the  surgeon  applied  his  finger  to  the  pulse,  evidently 
to  ascertain  if  such  was  the  fact.  But  it  was  not  till  22  minutes 
past  7  o'clock  in  the  morning  that  the  flame  flickered  out.  There 
was  no  apparent  suffering,  no  convulsive  action,  no  rattling  of  the 
throat,  none  of  the  ordinary  premonitory  symptoms  of  death. 
Death  in  this  case  was  a  mere  cessation  of  breathing. 

The  fact  had  not  been  ascertained  one  minute,  when  Dr.  Gurley 
offered  up  a  prayer.  The  few  persons  in  the  room  were  all  pro 
foundly  affected.  The  President's  eyes,  after  death,  were  not,  par 
ticularly  the  right  one,  entirely  closed.  I  closed  them  myself,  with 
my  fingers.  The  expression  immediately  after  death  was  purely 
negative;  but  in  fifteen  minutes  there  came  over  the  mouth,  the 
nostrils,  and  the  chin,  a  smile  that  seemed  almost  an  effort  of  life. 
I  had  never  seen  upon  the  President's  face  an  expression  more 
genial  and  pleasing. 

About  fifteen  minutes  before  the  decease,  Mrs.  Lincoln  came  into 
the  room,  and  threw  herself  upon  her  dying  husband's  body.  She 
was  allowed  to  remain  there  only  a  few  minutes,  when  she  was  re 
moved  in  a  sobbing  condition,  in  which,  indeed,  she  had  been  during 
all  the  time  she  was  present. 

After  completing  his  prayer  in  the  chamber  of  death,  Dr.  Gurley 
went  into  the  front  parlor,  where  Mrs.  Lincoln  was,  with  Mrs.  and 
Miss  Kinney,  and  her  son  Robert,  Gen.  Todd,  of  Dacotah  (a  cousin 
of  hers),  and  Gen.  Farns  worth,  of  Illinois.  Here  another  prayer 
was  offered  up,  during  which  I  remained  in  the  hall.  The  prayer 
was  continually  interrupted  by  Mrs.  Lincoln's  sobs.  Soon  after  its 
conclusion,  I  went  into  the  parlor,  and  found  her  in  a  chair,  sup 
ported  by  her  son  Robert.  Presently  her  carriage  came  up,  and 
she  was  removed  to  it.  She  was  in  a  state  of  tolerable  composure 
at  that  time,  until  she  reached  the  door,  when,  glancing  at  the 
theatre  opposite,  she  repeated  three  or  four  times  :  "  That  dreadful 
house  ! — that  dreadful  house  !" 

The  following  minutes,  taken  by  Dr.  Abbott,  S!K>\V  the  con 
dition  of  the  late  President  throughout  the  night: 
Eleven  o'clock — Pulse  44. 

Five  minutes  past  eleven — Pulse  45,  and  growing  weaker. 
Ten  minutes  past  eleven — Pulse  45. 
Quarter  past  eleven — Pulse  42. 

Twenty  minutes  past  eleven — Pulse  45,  respiration  27  to  29. 
Twenty-five  minutes  past  eleven — Pulse  42. 
Thirty-two  minutes  past  eleven — Pulse  48,  and  full. 


ASSASSINATION  AND  DYING  MOMENTS.  71 

Forty  minutes  past  eleven — Pulse  45. 

Quarter  to  twelve — Pulse  45,  respiration  22. 

Twelve  o'clock — Pulse  48,  respiration  22. 

Quarter  past  twelve — Pulse  48,  respiration  21.  Ecchymosis  both 
eyes. 

Half-past  twelve — Pulse  45. 

Thirty-two  minutes  past  twelve — Pulse  60. 

Thirty-five  minutes  past  twelve — Pulse  66. 

/  Forty  minutes  past  twelve — Pulse  69,  right  eye  much  swollen, 
and  ecchymosis. 

Forty-five  minutes  past  twelve — Pulse  70. 

Fifty-five  minutes  past  twelve — Pulse  80,  struggling  motion  of 
arms. 

One  o'clock — Pulse  86,  respiration  30. 

Half-past  one — Pulse  95,  appearing  easier. 

Forty-five  minutes  past  one — Pulse  86;  very  quiet;  respiration  ir 
regular.     Mrs.  Lincoln  present. 

Ten  minutes  past  two — Mrs.  Lincoln  retired  with  Robert  Lincoln 
to  an  adjoining  room. 

Half-past  two — President  very  quiet;  pulse  54;  respiration  28. 

Fifty-two  minutes  past  two — Pulse  48;  respiration  30. 

Three  o'clock  visited  again  by  Mrs.  Lincoln. 

Twenty-five  minutes  past  three — Respiration  24,  and  regular. 

Thirty-five  minutes  past  three — Prayer  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Gurley. 

Four  o'clock — Respiration  hard;  regular. 

Quarter  past  four — Pulse  60;  respiration  25. 

Fifty  minutes  past  five — Respiration  28,  regular;  sleeping. 

Six  o'clock — Pulse  failing;  respiration  28. 

Half-past  six — Still  failing,  and  labored  breathing. 

Seven  o'clock — Symptoms  of  immediate  dissolution. 

Twenty-two  minutes  past  seven — Death. 

Shortly  after  9  o'clock  the  remains  were  removed  in  a  coffin 
to  the  White  House,  attended  by  a  dense  crowd,  and  escorted 
by  a  squadron  of  cavalry  and  several  distinguished  officers. 
At  a  later  hour  a  post-mortem  examination  was  made  of  the 
remains,  by  Surgeon-General  Barnes,  Dr.  Stone,  the  late  Pres 
ident's  family  physician,  Drs.  Crane,  Curtis,  Woodward,  Taft, 
and  other  eminent  medical  men. 

The  external  appearance  of  the  face  was  that  of  a  deep  black 
stain  about  both  eyes.  Otherwise  the  face  was  very  natural. 

The  wound  was  on  the  left  side  of  the  head  behind,  on  a  line  with 
and  three  inches  from  the  left  ear. 


72  LINCOLN  MEMORIAL. 

The  course  of  the  ball  was  obliquely  forward,  towards  the  right 
eye,  crossing  the  brain  obliquely  a  few  inches  behind  the  eye,  where 
the  ball  lodged. 

In  the  track  of  the  wound  were  found  fragments  of  bone,  which 
had  been  driven  forward  by  the  ball. 

The  ball  was  found  imbedded  in  the  anterior  lobe  of  the  west 
hemisphere  of  the  brain. 

The  orbit  plates  of  both  eyes  were  the  seat  of  comminuted  frac 
ture,  and  the  orbits  of  the  eyes  were  filled  with  extravasated  blood. 

The  serious  injury  to  the  orbit  plates  was  due  to  the  centre  coup, 
the  result  of  the  intense  shock  of  so  large  a  projectile  fired  so 
closely  to  to  the  head. 

The  ball  was  evidently  a  derringer,  hand  cast,  and  from  which 
the  neck  had  been  clipped. 

A  shaving  of  lead  had  been  removed  from  the  ball  in  its  passage 
of  the  bones  of  the  skull,  and  was  found  in  the  orifice  of  the  wound. 
The  first  fragment  of  bone  was  found  two  and  a-half  inches  within 
the  brain  :  the  second  and  larger  fragment  about  four  inches  from 
the  orifice.  The  ball  lay  still  further  in  advance.  The  wound  was 
half  an  inch  in  diameter. 


111. 


EFFECT    ON    THE    COUNTRY. 


DKAPK  the  banner,  toll  the  bell ! 
Gentle  Chieftain,  fare  thee  well,— 
Thine  a  Martyr  blest  to  be, 
In  the  hour  of  Victory. 

Light  the  altar,  hide  the  bier! 
Ours  to  look  with  joy  and  fear. 
Where  the  country's  FATHER  passed, 
Its  preserver  meets  at  last. 

R.  H.  Newell. 


AT,  let  the  nation  weep, 

While  the  slow  bells  toll, 

And  the  cannon  roll, 

For  the  funeral  knoll 

Of  his  mighty  soul ! 

Ye  cannot  break  the  slumber  deep 

That  wraps  his  limbs  in  quiet  sleep; 

He  cannot  hear 

The  crowds  that  tread 

Around  his  bier, 

Nor  see  the  tears  they  shed ; 

For  he  nevermore  shall  dwell 

With  the  people  that  lie  loved  so  well. 

Let  the  nation's  sorrow  have  its  way 

For  him  who  was  the  nation's  stay  ! 

£  G.  W.  Benjamtn. 


THE  EFFECT  ON  THE  COUNTRY.  75 


III. 

THE  EFFECT  ON  THE  COUNTRY. 


NKVEB  in  our  national  history  did  a  blow  fall  with  more 
terrible  earnestness  than  the  news  of  the  assassination  of  Mr. 
Lincoln,  as  it  flashed  along  the  telegraph  through  the  land, 
and  penetrated  from  stations  to  more  distant  points.  A  general 
gloom  pervaded  all  men.  Every  face  wore  a  look  of  deepest 
sorrow  at  the  loss  of  one  who,  wise  and  beyond  reproach,  had 
just  carried  the  country  through  its  terrible  struggle. 

In  the  greatest  cities  of  the  land,  men  streamed  down  from 
their  homes  to  the  centres  of  business  and  labor ;  but  as  with 
one  accord,  when  the  certainty  of  the  President's  death  was 
announced,  all  places  of  business  began  to  close.  At  the 
earliest  tidings,  the  flags  and  streamers  which,  in  exultation 
over  Sumter's  restoration,  had,  the  day  before,  been  fluttering 
so  victoriously  in  the  breeze,  had  been  silently  lowered.  When 
Mr.  Lincoln  breathed  his  last,  the  flags  hung  draped  at  half- 
mast,  and  the  fronts  of  public  buildings  and  of  stores  were 
draped  in  black.  Before  sunset,  almost  every  dwelling  showed 
the  same  habiliments  of  woe. 

Meanwhile  the  heads  of  departments,  the  commanders  of 
our  armies,  governors  of  States,  mayors  of  cities,  issued  their 
orders  expressing  their  sense  of  the  loss,  and  calling  on  those 
under  their  direction  to  join  in  the  universal  sorrow.  Except 
where  a  few  madmen  exulted,  to  be  cut  down  with  an  indig 
nation  that  acted  swiftly  and  sure,  all  party  feeling  was  for 
gotten.  The  papers  everywhere  paid  their  tribute  to  the  worth 
of  Mr.  Lincoln. 

Most  appreciative  perhaps  of  all  was  the  editorial  in  the  New 
York  World,  ever  opposed  to  the  course  and  policy  of  the 
murdered  President. 


76  LINCOLN  MEMORIAL. 

THE  LATE  PRESIDENT  LINCOLN. 

Never  before  in  history  has  there  been  an  occasion  so  fraught 
with  public  consequence  that  was,  at  the  same  time,  so  like  an  over 
whelming  domestic  affliction.  This  portentions  national  calamity, 
conscious  as  we  all  are  of  its  weighty  and  inscrutable  significance 
in  the  future  politics  of  the  country,  is  also  so  full  of  affecting  pathos 
and  tragic  horror  that  a  smitten  people  are  overborne  by  a  flood  of 
sensibility,  like  a  bereaved  family  who  have  no  heart  to  think  on 
their  estate  and  prospects  when  the  tide  of  sudden  affliction  has 
swept  away  the  supporting  prop  of  the  household.  By  no  other 
single  achievement  could  Death  have  carried  such  a  feeling  of  deso 
lation  into  every  dwelling,  and  have  caused  this  whole  land  to 
mourn  as  over  the  sundering  of  some  dear  domestic  tie. 

The  terrible  deed  which  has  filled  the  national  heart  with  grief 
and  consternation,  lacks  no  conceivable  accessory  of  tragic  horror. 
When  the  storm  which  has  gone  over  us  seemed  to  have  spent  its 
force,  there  is  suddenly  shot  from  an  unexpected  quarter,  without 
warning  or  preparation,  a  swift  thunderbolt  which  strikes  away  the 
chief  pillar  of  the  state  and  shakes  the  whole  edifice  to  its  founda 
tions.  Death,  always  affecting,  becomes  horrible  when  dealt  by  the 
hand  of  an  assassin ;  even  though  the  victim  be  but  a  private  in 
dividual,  the  deed  of  violence  spreads  a  feeling  of  uneasiness  and 
alarm  through  an  excited  community.  The  demise  of  the  chief  magi 
strate  of  a  great  nation,  even  though  he  die  calmly  in  his  bed,  in 
the  most  tranquil  times,  is  an  awful  and  affecting  event;  when  an 
assassin  deals  the  blow,  the  surcharge  of  horror  is  naturally  as  great 
in  proportion  as  in  the  case  of  a  murdered  individual ;  but  if  the 
calamity  comes  in  a  crisis  when  that  particular  life  is  unusually  felt 
to  be  of  supreme  value  to  a  nation's  hopes  and  prospects,  the  awful- 
ness  of  the  tragedy  is  heightened  by  all  the  considerations  that  can 
give  overwhelming  poignancy  to  a  nation's  grief.  Even  the  unim 
portant  circumstances  and  surroundings  of  this  foul  deed  have  a 
tragic  complexion.  Perpetrated  on  the  anniversary  of  the  opening 
of  the  war;  in  a  place  of  public  amusement;  in  the  presence  of  a 
paralyzed  multitude  who  had  come  clustering  together  to  witness  a 
spectacle;  the  murderer  an  actor  by  profession,  trained  to  an  exag 
gerated  admiration  of  certain  historic  characters,  whose  suggestive 
names  had  become  prefixes  in  his  family;  his  escape  from  a  crowded 
assembly  by  leaping  upon  the  stage  and  disappearing  behind  the 
scenes  with  a  Latin  motto  in  his  mouth,  while  the  consort  of  his 
illustrious  victim  was  swooning  in  an  agony  of  which  no  imagina 
tion  can  measure  the  depth ; — and  then  the  cry  that  arose  at  mid- 


EFFECT  OF  HIS  DEATH  UPON  THE  COUNTRY.  T7 

night  in  all  the  cities  of  this  afflicted  land,  arid  the  horror  and  con 
sternation  that  fell  upon  all  hearts  as  the  sun  heaved  up  his  orb  into 
the  morning  sky — all  this  together  completes  a  spectacle  for  the 
horror-struck  imagination  such  as  history,  even  with  the  trappings 
of  the  tragic  muse  to  set  it  off,  has  seldom  or  never  approached. 
What  has  the  Eternal  Mind,  that  presides  over  and  shapes  out  the 
course  of  human  history,  in  store  for  us,  that  He  has  thus  permitted 
to  be  spread  upon  the  canvas  allotted  to  this  country  and  this  cen 
tury  a  scene  so  affecting  and  awful  that  none  of  its  colors  can  fade 
till  both  continents  are  ingulfed  in  the  all-effacing  ocean  ? 

Whatever  a  wise  and  unsearchable  Providence  may  bring  out 
of  this  appalling  visitation,  we  can,  as  yet,  see  nothing  in  it  but 
calamity.  It  is  a  terrible  proof  of  the  depth,  intensity,  and  danger 
of  those  passions  which  have  been  awakened  into  such  fearful  vigor 
by  the  events  of  the  war.  An  ardent  young  man,  not  personally 
predisposed  to  crime;  brought  up  to  an  art  which  stands  aloof  from 
political  associations;  accustomed  to  view  the  events  of  history  only 
on  their  pathetic  or  their  scenic  side;  trained  to  regulate  every  ges 
ture  and  mold  every  lineament  of  his  face  to  court  public  admiration ; 
this  young  man,  with  this  imaginative  training,  is  not  transformed 
into  an  assassin  by  the  vulgar  impulses  of  an  ordinary  murderer. 
In  this  terrible  deed,  as  in  the  ordinary  exercise  of  his  profession, 
he  has  been  a  candidate  for  sympathy  and  approbation.  It  was  his 
instinctive  and  sympathetic  knowledge  of  what  lurks  in  the  hearts 
of  the  baffled  secessionists,  which  made  him  see  that  this  unavailing 
act  of  vengeance  would  enshrine  him  in  their  affections,  and  make 
his  a  dear  and  canonized  name.  His  dreadful  act  is  an  awful  com 
mentary  on  the  consequences  of  party  passions  when  they  are  fanned 
into  such  rage  that  they  strip  the  most  odious  crimes  of  their  horror 
and  clothe  them  in  the  seductive  drapery  of  public  virtue.  While 
the  disabled  half  of  the  country  is  yet  a  caldron  of  unsubdued  and 
seething  passions,  it  is  lamentable  that  there  should  be  taken  from 
us  a  mild  and  paternal  chief  magistrate  who  was  preparing  to  pour 
over  these  agitated  passions  the  soothing  influence  of  his  natural 
clemency.  As  soon  as  the  war-cloud  visibly  lifted,  he  set  himself 
to  the  performance  of  acts  which  commanded  the  approval  even  of 
his  former  opponents;  and  the  day  which  preceded  his  death  was 
passed  in  employments  more  full  of  promise  than  any  other  in  the 
calendar  of  this  momentous  era.  There  will  fall  into  his  opening 
and  honored  grave  no  warmer  or  more  plentiful  tribute  of  honest 
sensibility  than  is  shed  by  those  of  his  loyal  fellow-citizens  who  did 
not  contribute  to  his  re-election. 

Of  the  career  brought  thus  suddenly  to  this  tragic  close  it  is 


78  LINCOLN  MEMORIAL. 

yet  too  early  to  make  any  estimate  that  will  not  require  revision. 
It  is  probable  that  the  judgment  of  history  will  differ  in  many  re 
spects  from  that  of  Mr.  Lincoln's  contemporaries;  and  in  no  respect, 
perhaps,  more  than  in  reversing  the  current  tenor  of  the  public 
thinking  on  what  has  been  considered  the  vacillation  of  his  charac 
ter.  It  must  never  be  overlooked  that  Mr.  Lincoln  was  elevated  to 
the  presidency  without  previous  training;  that  he  was  a  novice  in 
the  discharge  of  high  executive  functions.  Confronted  at  the  very 
threshold  with  problems  of  a  novelty,  magnitude,  and  difficulty 
which  would  have  caused  the  most  experienced  statesman  to  quail, 
beset  on  all  sides  by  the  most  conflicting  advice,  it  would  not  have 
been  wisdom,  but  shallow  and  foolhardy  presumption,  indicating 
unseemly  levity  of  character,  if  he  liad  affected  a  display  of  the  same 
kind  of  confident  decision  with  which  an  old  sailor  manages  a  cock 
boat  in  fair  weather.  If,  under  such  circumstances,  he  had  played 
the  role  of  a  man  of  decision,  he  would  have  forfeited  all  title  to  be 
considered  a  man  of  sense.  When  the  most  experienced  and  repu 
table  statesmen  of  the  country  came  to  opposite  conclusions,  it  is 
creditable  to  the  strength,  solidity,  and  modesty  of  Mr.  Lincoln's 
mind,  that  he  acted  with  a  cautious  and  hesitating  deliberation, 
proportioned  rather  to  a  sense  of  his  great  responsibilities,  than  to 
a  theatrical  notion  of  political  stage  effect. 

Had  the  country,  previous  to  Mr.  Lincoln's  first  election,  fore 
seen  what  was  coming  it  would  not  have  chosen  for  President  a 
man  of  Mr.  Lincoln's  inexperience  and  peculiar  type  of  character. 
But  if  his  party  was  to  succeed,  we  doubt  whether  foresight  and 
deliberation  would  have  made  so  good  a  choice.  With  the  Repub 
lican  party  in  power,  this  terrible  struggle  was  inevitable;  and, 
with  a  man  of  fixed  views  arid  inflexible  purpose  at  the  head  of  the 
Government,  it  would  probably  have  resulted  either  in  a  dissolution 
of  the  Union  or  civil  war  in  the  North.  In  either  event,  we  should 
have  lost  our  institutions.  The  stability  of  a  republican  govern 
ment,  and,  indeed,  of  any  form  of  free  government,  depends  upon  its 
possessing  that  kind  of  flexibility  which  yields  easily  to  the  control 
of  public  opinion.  In  this  respect,  the  English  Government  is  more 
pliable  than  our  own,  the  administration  being  at  all  times  subject 
to  immediate  change  by  losing  the  confidence  of  the  representatives 
of  the  people;  whereas,  under  our  Constitution,  an  iron  inflexibility 
can  maintain  itself  in  office  for  the  full  period  of  four  years,  without 
any  possibilty  of  displacing  it  except  by  revolution. 

In  ordinary  times,  this  works  well  enough  ;  for  the  growth  of 
opinion  in  any  ordinary  four  years,  could  not  be  so  rapid  as  to  indis 
pose  the  people  to  await  the  presidential  election.  But  when  there 


EFFECT  OF  HIS  DEATH  UPON  THE  COUNTRY.  79 

was  let  loose  upon  us,  at  the  beginning  of  the  last  administration, 
the  wild  outbreaking^  of  turbulence  and  treason,  the  development 
of  opinion  went  forward  with  gigantic  strides,  corresponding  in 
some  degree  to  the  violence  and  magnitude  of  the  contest.  Any 
policy  which  a  Republican  President  might  have  adopted  with  de 
cision  in  the  spring  of  1861,  and  adhered  to  with  steadiness  during 
the  fot#  years,  would  have  exposed  the  government  to  be  shivered 
into  fragments  by  the  shocks  of  changing  opinion.  What  was 
wanting  in  the  flexibility  of  our  political  system  was  made  up  in 
the  character  of  Mr.  Lincoln.  Whatever  may  be  thought  of  the 
absolute  merits  of  the  late  President's  administration — on  which  it 
would  not  be  decorous  to  express  our  views  on  this  occasion — it 
cannot  well  be  denied  that  it  has  been,  throughout,  a  tolerably 
faithful  reflex  of  the  predominent  public  opinion  of  the  country. 
Whether  that  opinion  was,  at  any  particular  stage,  right  and  wise, 
is  a  different  question;  but  it  cannot  be  doubtful  that  the  pre 
dominant  opinion  carries  with  it  the  predominance  of  physical 
strength.  A  government  against  which  this  is  arrayed  in  gathering 
force,  must  yield  to  it  or  go  to  pieces.  Had  Mr.  Lincoln  started 
with  his  emancipation  policy  in  the  spring  of  1861,  his  administra 
tion  would  have  been  wrecked  by  the  moral  aid  which  would  have 
been  given  the  South  by  the  northern  conservatives,  including  a 
large  part  of  the  Republican  party.  Had  he  refused  to  adopt  the 
emancipation  policy  much  beyond  the  autumn  of  1862,  the  Repub 
lican  party  would  have  refused  public  support  to  the  war,  and  the 
South  would  have  gained  its  independence  by  their  aid.  With  a 
stiff  Republican  Senate,  the  government  would  have  been  at  a 
dead-lock,  and  the  violence  of  opinion  would  have  wrenched  its 
conflicting  parts  asunder.  Regarding  the  growth  of  opinion  simply 
in  the  light  of  a  fact,  we  must  concede  that  Mr.  Lincoln's  slowness, 
indecision,  and  reluctant  changes  of  policy  have  been  in  skillful,  or 
at  least  fortunate,  adaptation  to  the  prevailing  public  sentiment  of 
the  country.  Some  have  changed  more  rapidly,  some  more  slowly 
than  he;  but  there  are  few  of  his  countrymen  who  have  not  changed 
at  all. 

If  we  look  for  the  elements  of  character  which  have  contributed 
to  the  extraordinary  and  constantly  growing  popularity  of  Mr. 
Lincoln,  they  are  not  far  to  seek.  The  kindly,  companionable, 
jovial  turn  of  his  disposition,  free  from  every  taint  of  affectation, 
puerile  vanity,  or  parvenu  insolence,  conveyed  a  strong  impression 
of  worth,  sense,  and  solidity,  as  well  as  goodness  of  heart.  He 
never  disclosed  the  slightest  symptom  that  he  was  dazzled  or  elated 
by  his  great  position,  or  that  it  was  incumbent  upon  him  to  be  any 


80  LINCOLN  MEMORIAL. 

body  but  plain  Abraham  Lincoln.  This  was  in  infinitely  better 
taste  than  would  have  been  any  attempt  to  put  on  manners  that  did 
not  sit  easily  upon  training  and  habits,  under  the  false  notion  that 
he  would  be  supporting  the  dignity  of  his  office.  No  offense  in 
manners  is  so  intolerable  as  affectation;  nor  any  thing  so  vulgar  as 
a  soul  haunted  by  an  uneasy  consciousness  of  vulgarity.  Mr. 
Lincoln's  freedom  from  any  such  upstart  affectations  was  one  of  the 
good  points  of  his  character;  it  betokened  his  genuineness  and 
sincerity. 

The  conspicuous  weakness  of  Mr.  Lincoln's  mind  on  the  side  of 
imagination,  taste,  and  refined  sensibility,  has  rather  helped  him  in 
the  estimation  of  the  multitude.  Except  so  far  as  they  contribute 
something  to  dignity  of  character,  these  qualities  have  little  scope 
in  the  pursuits  of  a  statesman;  and  their  misplaced  obtrusion  is  al 
ways  offensive.  They  are  a  great  aid,  to  be  sure,  in  electric  appeals 
to  the  passions;  but  in  times  like  these  through  which  we  have 
been  living,  the  passions  have  needed  sedatives,  not  incentives;  and 
the  cool  mastery  of  emotion  has  deserved  to  rank  among  the  chief 
virtues.  Mr.  Lincoln  had  no  need  of  this  virtue,  because  the  slug 
gishness  of  his  emotional  nature  shielded  him  against  the  corres 
ponding  temptation;  but  this  defect  has  served  him  as  well  as  the 
virtue  amid  the  more  inflammable  natures  with  which  he  has  been 
in  contact.  His  character  was  entirely  relieved  from  repulsive 
matter-of-fact  hardness  by  the  unaffected  kindliness  of  his  disposi 
tion  and  the  flow  of  his  homely  and  somewhat  grotesque  mother-wit 
— the  most  popular  of  all  the  minor  mental  endowments. 

The  total  absence  from  Mr.  Lincoln's  sentiments  and  bearing  of 
anything  lofty  or  chivalric,  and  the  hesitating  slowness  of  his  de 
cisions,  did  not  denote  any  feebleness  of  character.  He  has  given 
a  signal  proof  of  a  strong  and  manly  nature  in  the  fact  that  al 
though  he  surrounded  himself  with  the  most  considerable  and  ex 
perienced  statesmen  of  his  party,  none  of  them  were  able  to  take 
advantage  of  his  inexperience  and  gain  any  conspicuous  ascend 
ency  over  him.  All  his  chief  designs  have  been  his  own;  formed 
indeed,  after  much  anxious  arid  brooding  consultation,  but,  in  the 
final  result,  the  fruit  of  his  own  independent  volition.  He  has 
changed  or  retained  particular  members  of  his  cabinet,  and  indorsed 
or  rejected  particular  dogmas  of  his  party,  with  the  same  ultimate 
reliance  on  the  decisions  of  his  own  judgment.  It  is  this  feature 
of  his  character,  which  was  gradually  disclosed  to  the  public  view, 
together  with  the  cautious  and  paternal  cast  of  his  disposition, 
that  gave  his  strong  and  increasing  hold  on  the  confidence  of  the 
masses. 


EFFECT  OF  HIS  DEATH  UPON  THE  COUNTRY.  81 

Among  the  sources  of  Mr.  Lincoln's  iiifluemce,  we  must  not  omit 
to  mention  the  quaint  and  peculiar  character  of  his  written  and 
spoken  eloquence.  It  was  as  completely  his  own,  as  much  the  na 
tural  outgrowth  of  his  character,  as  his  personal  manners.  Formed 
on  no  model,  and  aiming  only  at  the  most  convincing  statement  of 
what  he  wished  to  say,  it  was  terse,  shrewd,  clear,  with  a  peculiar 
twist  in  the  phraseology  which  more  than  made  up  in  point  what  it 
sometimes  lost  by  its  uncouthness.  On  the  multitude,  who  do  not 
appreciate  literary  refinement,  and  despise  literary  affectation,  its 
effect  was  as  great  as  the  same  ideas  and  arguments  could  have 
produced  by  any  form  of  presentation.  His  style  had  the  great 
redeeming  excellence  of  that  air  of  straightforward  sincerity  which 
is  worth  all  the  arts  of  the  rhetorician. 

The  loss  of  such  a  man,  in  such  a  crisis;  of  a  man  who  possessed 
so  large  and  growing  a  share  of  the  public  confidence,  and  whose 
administration  had  recently  borrowed  new  lustre  from  the  crowning 
achievements  of  our  armies;  of  a  ruler  whom  victory  was  inspiring 
with  the  wise  and  paternal  magnanimity  which  sought  to  make  the 
conciliation  as  cordial  as  the  strife  has  been  deadly;  the  loss  of 
such  a  President,  at  such  a  conjuncture,  is  an  afflicting  dispensation 
which  bows  a  disappointed  and  stricken  nation  in  sorrow  more 
deep,  sincere,  and  universal  than  ever  before  supplicated  the  com 
passion  of  pitying  Heaven. 

In  New  York  City,  Wall  street  became  a  public  meeting,  in 
which  resolutions  were  passed,  and  among  other  addresses  the 
following  were  delivered : 

SPEECH  OF  GEN.  BUTLER. 

FELLOW  CITIZENS:  But  a  day  or  two  since  we  assembled  through 
out  the  nation  in  joy,  gladness,  and  triumph,  at  the  success  of  the 
armies  of  the  republic,  which  opened  to  us  the  promise  of  a  glorious 
peace  and  a  happy  country  in  the  future.  These  flags,  now  the 
token  of  mourning,  were  then  raised  in  gladness.  To-day,  in  a 
short  hour,  Abraham  Lincoln  has  been  struck  down  by  the  hand  of 
an  assassin,  and  we  assemble  to  mingle  our  grief  with  that  of  the 
loved  ones  at  home,  who  mourn  the  honest  man,  the  incorruptible 
patriot,  the  great  statesman,  the  saviour  of  his  country  in  its 
crisis.  And  while  we  reverently  pray  to  God  to  overrule  this 
dispensation  for  our  good,  we  mingle  our  tears  together  as  a  nation 
for  the  loss,  and  we  find  the  hearts  of  those  around  him  melted  in 
sadness.  Yet,  to  us  there  are  higher,  sterner  duties,  and  that  is  to 


82  LINCOLN  MEMORIAL. 

see  that  his  death  is  not  lost  to  the  country.  Other  rebellions  in 
other  countries  have  heretofore  almost  ever  been  inaugurated  by 
the  assassin's  knife.  It  is  left  for  us  to  exhibit  the  spectacle  of  a 
rebellion  crushed  in  its  body,  crushed  in  its  strength,  crushed 
in  its  blood,  crushed  in  its  bones,  revivifying  its  soul  by  as 
sassination  and  death.  And,  with  a  blind  hate  which  has  ever 
characterized  its  purpose,  it  has  struck  down  in  cold  silence  the 
most  forgiving,  the  most  lenient,  the  most  gracious  friend  that 
the  misguided  rebel  ever  had  in  this  country.  If  rebellion 
can  do  this  to  the  good,  the  wise,  the  kind,  the  beneficent, 
what  does  it  teach  us  we  ought  to  do  to  those  who,  from  high 
places,  incite  the  assassin's  mind  and  guide  the  assassin's  knife. 
Shall  we  content  ourselves  with  merely  crushing  out  the  strength, 
the  power,  the  material  resources  of  the  rebellion  ?  Shall  we 
leave  its  spirit  and  soul  unsubdued,  to  light  the  torch  in  this 
city,  and  fire  the  pistol  in  the  capital  at  all  the  good  and  great  ? 
Are  we  to  have  peace  in  fact  or  only  in  name  ?  Is  this  nation 
hereafter  to  be  peaceable  ?  Are  the  avocations  of  life  to  go 
on,  each  man  going  about  without  fear  and  without  dread,  or 
are  we  to  rival  hereafter  the  tales  we  have  heard  of  the  old 
world,  where  every  man  feared  his  neighbor,  and  no  man  went 
about  except  armed  to  the  teeth  or  in  panoply  of  steel?  This 
is  the  question  that  is  to  be  decided  this  day,  ay,  this  hour, 
by  the  American  people.  And  perhaps  I  may  say,  reverently, 
that  this  dispensation  of  God's  good  providence  is  sent  to  teach 
us  that  the  spirit  of  the  rebellion  has  not  been  broken  by  the 
surrender  of  its  armies.  Arid,  my  friends,  echoing  the  words 
of  the  last  speaker,  I  would  say,  be  of  good  heart.  There  is 
no  occasion  of  despondency.  A  great,  a  good  man  has  gone, 
in  the  fullness  of  his  fame,  in  the  height  of  his  glory,  to  join 
the  sages  and  patriots  of  tke  revolutionary  days.  His  life  was 
saved  four  years  ago  when  it  was  needed,  and  he  went  through 
Baltimore,  and  the  waves  of  the  rebellion  were  beating  around  him. 
But  now  his  work  was  done;  and  it  remains  for  us  to  do  that  which 
is  left  for  us  to  do  in  the  same  direction.  He  has  driven  out 
the  life  and  the  spirit,  and  it  is  for  us  to  take  care  of  the  soul 
of  the  rebellion.  And  I  am  glad  to  speak  here,  to  assure  you, 
what  I  know  to  be  the  sentiment  of  the  present  President  of  the 
United  States,  who  has  succeeded  by  this  great  dispensation  of 
Providence  to  the  highest  place  on  earth,  that  he  feels  as  you  and  I 
do,  I  know  it,  on  the  subject,  that  the  rebellion  is  to  be  put  down. 
He  has  had-  a  nearer  view  of  it  than  we  have  had.  It  has  been  at 
iiis  hearth-stone,  and  he  has  had  almost  his  roof-tree  blazing  over 


EFFECT  OF  HIS  DEATH  UPON  THE  COUNTRY.  83 

him.  And  every  one  ought  to  know  that  he  is  not  only  able  but 
willing  and  desirous  that  it  should  be  dealt  with  as  we  would 
have  it  dealt  with.  And  therefore,  let  every  man  be  of  cheer. 
It  may  be  said,  I  hear  it  has  been  said,  that  those  who  recommend 
condign  punishment  for  treason  and  other  wrongs  are  blood-thirsty 
— that  we  desire  to  shed  blood  for  the  shedding  of  blood.  But, 
fellow-citizens,  could  he  who  has  gone  before  us  have  foreseen  what 
would  have  been  the  end  of  his  policy — of  his  clemency  and  for 
giveness — -it  might  have  soured  his  heart,  but  it  might  have  in 
formed  his  judgment,  and  we  had  him  spared  to  us  this  hour.  If 
he  could  have  seen  that  forgiveness  meant  assassination — that 
clemency  meant  death,  that  even  the  sick  man  whom  the  providence 
of  God  had  spared  for  a  season,  was  to  be  murdered  on  his  sick-bed 
as  a  result  of  the  rebellion — perhaps  he  would  have  nerved  his 
heart  against  these  men,  and  forgot  the  goodness  of  his  nature. 
But  he  has  gone  before  us,  the  first  victim  of  this  clemency  ;  with 
words  of  forgiveness  upon  his  tongue,  even,  has  he  died,  and  it  is 
left  for  us  to  review  the  course,  and  see  whether  or  not  we  are  to 
be  instructed  by  his  death.  And  therefore  I  say  it  to  you  my 
friends — not  in  the  spirit  of  revenge,  not  in  the  spirit  of  ven 
geance,  not,  I  trust,  in  any  spirit  of  destruction,  God  forbid  ! 
but  in  the  spirit  of  mercy  for  thousands  I  ask  that  punishment 
should  be  visited  upon  those  who  have  caused  this  great  wrong. 
The  nation  demands  it.  The  widowed  wives  of  those  of  our 
fallen  soldiers  sleeping  in  southern  soil  cry  out  for  it.  The  insulted 
majesty  of  the  nation  has  determined  upon  it,  and  woe  be  to  him 
that  gets  in  the  path  of  justice  and  of  the  execution  of  the 
law. 

SPEECH  OF  HON.  DANIEL  S.  DICKINSON. 

The  spirit  of  the  rebellion,  my  friends  and  fellow-citizens,  has 
finally  culminated  in  the  assassination  of  the  President  of  the 
United  States.  The  spirit  of  rebellion  and  of  slavery  has  finally 
whet  its  knife,  and  finding  it  could  not  accomplish  the  death  of  this 
nation,  has  wreaked  its  vengeance  in  the  heart's  blood  of  the  Chief 
Magistrate.  In  all  the  history  of  men,  savage  and  civilized;  in  the 
history  of  nations,  ancient  and  modern;  you  can  find  nothing  in  the 
annals  of  the  French  Revolution,  or  elsewhere,  equal  to  this  in 
atrocity  and  abomination.  The  only  criticisms  that  were  ever 
passed  upon  that  great  and  good  man  were  that  he  had  been  too 
lenient,  too  forgiving  in  his  spirit,  too  moderate  against  rebellion. 
The  assassin,  not  at  midnight,  but  in  the  midst  of  a  public  assembly, 


8*  LINCOLN  MEMORIAL. 

has  drawn  his  weapon  against  the  life  of  the  President;  and  what 
is  more  cowardly,  more  ferocious,  more  abominable,  if  there  is  a 
grade  of  crime  in  assassination,  was  the  attempt  on  the  life  of  the 
Secretary  of  State,  who  was  lying  almost  upon  his  dying  bed.  It 
required  the  spirit  of  the  rebellion;  it  required  slavery  in  its  last 
struggling  death  throes,  to  do  this.  This  thing — I  but  repeat  what 
I  said  long  ago — is  to  be  hunted  out  like  a  savage  beast.  And  if 
there  is  any  one  thing  in  my  human  experience  that  I  thank  God 
more  devoutly  for  than  any  other,  it  is  that  I  have  not  anywhere 
winked  at  any  thing,  but  have  been  in  favor  of  hewing  them  down 
from  beginning  to  end.  It  is  not  merely  the  death  of  Abraham 
Lincoln — great,  good,  patient,  faithful,  sincere  as  he  was — but 
it  is  this  great  nation  that  has  been  wounded  in  her  Chief  Mag 
istrate,  that  she  had,  with  great  and  unusual  eclat,  continued  in  the 
position,  and  said,  '  Well  done,  good  and  faithful  servant.'  Let 
our  humanity  extend  to  the  humbler  misguided  men  of  the  re 
bellion;  but  let  us  march  on  together  to  take  out  the  roots  and 
pull  up  the  seed  of  it.  I  tell  you  that  I  will  never  slumber  or 
sleep  till  every  thing  belonging  to  the  rebellion,  in  number,  per 
son,  and  case,  is  abolished.  I  spent  the  best  years  of  my  life  in 
endeavoring  to  reconcile  differences  between  North  and  South.  I 
saw  in  this  rebellion  a  determination  on  the  part  of  the  rebel  mur 
derers,  thieves,  and  conspirators,  not  to  be  conciliated.  I  say  now 
that  they  must  be  hunted  from  the  abodes  of  men.  I  care  not 
whether  this  was  the  act  of  one  man  or  the  act  of  a  hundred;  it  re 
sults  from  a  sentiment  which  has  been  inculcated  to  destroy  this 
great  nation.  It  is  acting  practically  upon  the  sentiment;  and 
whether  one  conspirator's  arm  were  nerved  or  whether  a  million 
had  been  brought  forward,  that  is  not  the  question — it  was  a  deter 
mination  to  destroy  this  nation  in  the  person  of  the  President  of  the 
United  States,  and  of  the  Secretary  of  State,  whose  prudent  policy 
has  prevented  them  from  embarrassing  us  with  a  war  with  foreign 
nations.  They  come  forward  now  and  then  and  whet  their  knives 
for  the  destruction  of  individuals.  Like  the  sending  of  Joseph  into 
Egypt,  they  meant  it  for  evil,  but  God  means  it  for  our  good.  He 
has  torn  the  veil  from  the  face  of  this  infernal  rebellion,  and  it  is 
perfectly  revealed  in  all  its  hideousness.  Who  will  follow  it  now 
except  to  slay  it  between  the  porch  and  the  altar  ?  I  had  hoped 
that  its  dying  days  would  be  calm  and  tranquil ;  that  it  would  go 
down  to  the  grave  unhonored  and  unsung,  but  in  peace.  I  am  for 
calling  upon  every  man  with  a  loyal  heart,  be  he  north  or  south, 
east  or  west,  be  he  old  or  young,  be  he  of  one  political  organization 
or  another,  to  now  say,  whatever  his  previous  opinions  have  been, 


EFFECT  OF  HIS  DEATH  UPON  THE  COUNTRY.  85 

that  there  has  come  a  time  when  the  people  must  take  this  thing 
into  their  own  hand,  in  all  their  power,  in  all  their  majesty,  until 
the  last  of  the  rebellion  shall  be  numbered  with  the  things  that 
were.  . 

At  Nashville  processions  postponed  from  the  previous  clay  were 
just  forming  when  the  news  was  received.  Instantly  joy  gave 
place  to  sorrow,  the  strains  of  exultation  changed  to  funeral 
marches,  and  the  military,  with  arms  reversed,  returned  to  their 
camps. 

At  Cincinnati,  Columbus,  Wheeling,  Louisville,  St.  Louis, 
and  even  at  San  Francisco  and  the  cities  of  California,  the  same 
scenes  were  repeated.  Everywhere,  spontaneous  cessation  of 
business,  the  closing  of  courts,  the  draping  of  the  towns  in  moun- 
ing. 

Even  in  the  British  Provinces  marks  of  respect  were  shown. 
In  Nova  Scotia,  the  Governor  was  about  to  visit  the  Legislative 
Council,  to  give  assent  to  the  laws  with  the  usual  ceremonies, 
but  on  hearing  of  the  sad  news  sent  the  following  message  to  the 
Council : 

"  GOVERNMENT  HOUSE,  HALIFAX,  N.  S.f 

"  Saturday,  April  15, 1865. 

"  MY  DEAR  SIR — Very  shocking  intelligence  which  has  just  reached 
me  of  the  murder  of  President  Lincoln  by  the  hand  of  an  assassin, 
and  my  sense  of  the  loss  which  the  cause  of  order  has  sustained  by 
the  death  of  a  man  whom  I  have  always  regarded  as  eminently  up 
right  in  his  intentions,  indisposes  me  to  make  any  public  ceremony 
such  as  I  had  contemplated  in  my  intended  visit  to  the  Legislative 
Council  to-day.  I  beg,  therefore,  to  notify  to  you  the  postponement 
of  that  visit,  and,  perhaps,  under  the  circumstances,  men  of  all 
parties  may  feel  that  the  suspension  of  further  public  business  for 
the  day  would  be  a  mark  of  sympathy  not  unbecoming  the  Legisla- 
t-'Te  to  offer,  one  which  none  could  misconstrue.  Believe  me  to  be, 
very  dear  sir,  your  obedient  servant, 

"RICHARD  GROVES  McDowELL. 

•'To  EDWARD  KINNEY, 
"President  of  the  Legislative  Council." 

At  Toronto,  the  flags  on  the  Custom  House,  and  the  shipping 
were  displayed  at  half-mast,  and  Canadians  shared  in  the  ex 
pressions  manifested  by  resident  Americans. 


80  LINCOLN  MEMORIAL. 

At  Concord,  IS".  H.,  on  the  evening  after  the  reception  of  the 
news  of  the  President's  death  a  very  large  crowd  of  people 
called  at  the  house  of  ex-President  Franklin  Pierce,  and  they 
were  addressed  by  him  as  follows. 

SPEECH  OF  EX-PRESIDENT  PIERCE. 

FELLOW-TOWNSMEN — I  come  to  ascertain  the  motives  of  this  call. 
What  is  your  desire  ? 

[Some  person  in  the  crowd  replied,  "  We  wish  to  hear  some  words 
from  you  on  this  sad  occasion."  General  Pierce  proceeded.] 

I  wish  I  could  address  you  words  of  solace.  But  that  can  hardly 
be  done.  The  magnitude  of  the  calamity,  in  all  aspects,  is  over 
whelming.  If  your  hearts  are  oppressed  by  events  more  calculated 
to  awaken  profound  sorrow  and  regret  than  any  which  have  hitherto 
occurred  in  our  history,  mine  mingles  its  deepest  regrets  and  sorrows 
with  yours. 

It  is  to  be  hoped  that  the  great  wickedness  and  atrocity  was 
confined,  morally  and  actually,  to  the  heads  and  hearts  of  but  two 
individuals  of  all  those  who  still  survive  on  this  continent ;  and  that 
they  may  speedily,  and  in  obedience  to  law,  meet  the  punishment 
due  to  their  unparalleled  crimes.  It  is  well  that  you — it  is  well  that 
I — well  that  all  men  worthy  to  be  called  citizens  of  the  United  States, 
make  manifest  in  all  suitable  forms  the  emotions  incident  to  the 
bereavement  and  distress  which  have  been  brought  to  the  hearths 
and  homes  of  the  two  most  conspicuous  families  of  the  Republic.  I 
give  them  my  warm,  outgushing  sympathy,  as  I  am  sure  all  per 
sons  within  the  hearing  of  my  voice  must  do. 

But  beyond  personal  grief  and  loss,  there  will  abide  with  us  in 
evitably  the  most  painful  memories.  Because,  as  citizens  obedient 
to  law,  revering  the  Constitution,  holding  fast  to  the  Union, 
thankful  for  the  period  of  history  which  succeeded  the  Revolution  in 
so  many  years  of  peaceful  growth  and  prosperity,  and  loving  with 
the  devotion  of  true  and  faithful  children  all  that  belongs  to  the  ad 
vancement  and  glory  of  the  nation,  we  can  never  forget  or  cease  to 
deplore  the  great  crime  and  deep  stain. 

[A  voice  from  the  crowd — "  Where  is  your  flag  ?"] 

It  is  not  necessary  for  me  to  show  my  devotion  for  the  stars  and 
stripes  by  any  special  exhibition,  or  upon  the  demand  of  any  man 
or  body  of  men.  My  ancestors  followed  it  through  the  Revolution 
— one  of  them,  at  least,  never  having  seen  his  mother's  roof  from 
the  beginning  to  the  close  of  that  protracted  struggle.  My  brothers 
followed  it  in  the  war  of  1812,  and  I  left  my  family  in  the  spring  of 


EFFECT  OF  HIS  DEATH  UPON  THE  COUNTRY.  87 

1841,  among  you,  to  follow  its  fortunes  and  maintain  it  upon  a  for 
eign  soil. 

But  this  you  all  know.  If  the  period  during  which  I  have 
served  oui$  State  and  country  in  various  situations,  commencing 
more  than  thirty-five  years  ago,  have  left  the  question  of  my  devo 
tion  to  the  flag,  the  Constitution  and  Union,  in  doubt,  it  is  too  late 
now  to  remove  it  by  any  such  exhibition  as  the  inquiry  suggests. 
Besides,  to  remove  such  doubts  from  minds  where  they  may  have 
been  cultivated  by  a  spirit  of  domination  and  partisan  rancor,  if 
such  a  thing  were  possible,  would  be  of  no  consequence  to  you, 
and  it  is  certainly  of  none  to  me.  The  malicious  questionings 
would  return  to  re-assert  their  supremacy  and  pursue  the  work  of 
injustice. 

Conscious  of  the  infirmities  of  temperament  which,  to  a  greater 
or  less  extent,  beset  us  alj,  I  have  never  felt  or  found  that  violence 
or  passion  was  ultimately  productive  of  beneficent  results.  It  is 
gratifying  to  perceive  that  your  observation,  briefer  than  mine,  has 
led  your  minds  to  the  same  conclusion.  What  a  priceless  com 
mentary  upon  this  general  thought  is  the  final  reported  conversation 
between  the  late  President  and  his  Cabinet !  and  with  that  dispatch 
comes  news  to  warrant  the  cheering  hope,  that  in  spite  of  the  knife 
of  the  assassin,  the  life  and  intellect  of  the  Secretary  of  State  may, 
through  Providence,  be  spared  to  us  in  this  appalling  emergency. 

I  thank  you  for  the  silent  attention  with  which  you  have  list 
ened  to  me,  and  for  the  manifestations  of  your  approval  as  my 
neighbors,  and  will  not  detain  you  in  this  storm  longer  than  to  add 
my  best  wishes  for  you  all,  and  for  what,  individually  and  collect 
ively,  we  ought  to  hold  most  dear — our  country — our  whole  country 
Good  night. 

The  bisliops  of  the  Catholic  and  Episcopal  Churches,  the 
heads  of  other  denominations,  all  came  forward  to  join  in  the 
public  grief,  and  appoint  services  for  Wednesday,  which  was 
set  apart  for  the  funeral. 

In  many  of  the  synagogues,  on  the  day  of  his  death,  prayers 
were  offered  for  Mr.  Lincoln,  according  to  Jewish  usage. 

Among  the  discourses  pronounced  on  the  following  day. 
Sunday,  we  select  that  delivered  at  the  New  York  Avenue 
Presbyterian  Church,  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Gurley.  This  church, 
which  was  the  one  attended  by  Mr.  Lincoln,  his  chosen  place 
of  worship,  was  well  filled  by  a  congregation  among  which  were 
many  high  officials  of  the  Government.  Treasurer  Spinner, 


88  LINCOLN  MEMORIAL. 

Governor  Oglesby,  General  Eaton,  and  many  other  gentlemen 
no  less  eminent,  were  present. 

The  church  was  hung  with  crape,  and  the  mute,  heart-rending 
eloquence  of  the  empty  pew  was  not  decreased  by  the  black 
drapery  that  told  the  reason  of  the  absence  of  its  august  owner. 

After  the  singing  of  the  103d  Hymn,  which  was  preceded  by 
the  reading  of  the  103d  Psalm,  Dr.  Gurley  remarked  that  it 
was  with  his  congregation  a  sacramental  Sabbath,  and  that  the 
services  of  the  morning  would  have  reference  to  that  fact ;  but 
he  added  that,  before  uniting  in  prayer,  he  would  say  a  few 
words  regarding  the  great  bereavement  which 'had  so  suddenly 
come  upon  us  as  a  nation. 

He  then  said  : — 

"  This  is  such  a  Sabbath  as  our  nation  never  saw  before.  It  is  a 
day  of  mourning,  of  great  and  bitter  lamentation.  Our  beloved 
Chief  Magistrate  is  dead  !  The  man  whom  the  people  had  learned 
to  trust  with  a  confiding  and  a  loving  confidence,  and  upon  whom, 
more  than  upon  any  other,  were  centred,  under  God,  our  best  hopes 
for  the  true  and  speedy  pacification  of  the  country,  the  restoration 
of  the  Union,  and  the  return  of  harmony  and  love — that  great  and 
honored  man  has  passed  away.  Just  as  the  prospect  of  peace  was 
brightly  opening  upon  us,  and  he  was  hoping  to  enjoy  with  the 
people  the  blessed  fruit  and  reward  of  his  and  their  toil,  arid  care, 
and  patience,  and  self-sacrificing  devotion  to  the  interests  of  liberty 
and  the  Union — just  then  he  fell  and  passed  away.  That  such  a  life 
should  be  sacrificed  at  such  a  time  by  such  an  agency !  Oh  it  is  a  dark, 
a  mysterious,  a  most  afflicting  visitation.  But,  while  we  mourn  we 
must  not  murmur;  while  we  weep  we  must  not  complain.  Above 
the  foul,  and  cruel,  and  bloody  hand  of  the  assassin — far,  far  above 
it — we  must  see  another  hand— the  chastening  hand  of  a  wise  and 
faithful  God.  We  know  that  his  judgments  are  right,  and  that  in 
faithfulness  he  has  afflicted  us.  In  the  midst  of  our  rejoicings  we 
needed  this  stroke,  this  dealing,  this  discipline,  and  therefore  he  has 
sent  it.  Let  us  remember  our  affliction  has  not  come  forth  of  the 
dust,  and  our  trouble  has  not  sprung  out  of  the  ground.  Through 
and  beyond  all  second  causes  we  must  look,  and  see  the  sovereign, 
permissive  agency  of  the  great  First  Cause.  And  while  we  bow 
and  worship,  let  us  also  be  still  and  know  that  He  is  God.  "  Clouds 
and  darkness  are  round  about  Him;  righteousness  and  judgment 
are  the  habitation  of  his  throne."  It  is  his  prerogative  to  bring  light 
out  of  darkness,  and  good  out  of  evil.  Surely  the  wrath  of  man 


EFFECT  OF  HIS  DEATH  UPON  THE  COUNTRY.  89 

shall  praise  Him,  and  the  remainder  of  wrath  He  will  restrain.  In 
the  light  of  a  clearer  day  we  may  yet  see  that  the  wrath  which 
planned  and  perpetrated  the  death  of  the  President  was  overruled 
by  Him  wh|se  judgments  are  unsearchable  and  his  ways  past  find- 
'Tig  out,  for  the  highest  welfare  of  all  those  interests  which  are  so 
clear  to  the  Christian  patriot  and  philanthropist,  and  for  which  a  loyal 
people  have  made  such  an  unexampled  sacrifice  of  treasure  and 
blood.  Let  us  not  be  faithless,  but  believing. 

'  Blind  unbelief  is  prone  to  err, 
And  scan  his  work  in  vain ; 
God  is  his  own  interpreter, 
And  He  will  make  it  plain.' 

"  We  will  wait  for  his  interpretation,  and  we  will  wait  in  faith, 
nothing  doubting.  He  who  has  led  us  so  well,  and  defended  and 
prospered  us  so  wonderfully  during  the  last  four  years  of  civil 
strife,  will  not  forsake  us  now.  He  may  chasten,  but  he  will  not  de 
stroy.  He  may  purify  us  more  and  more  in  the  furnace  of  trial,  but 
He  will  not  consume  us.  No,  no.  He  has  chosen  us,  as  He  did  his 
people  of  old,  in  the  furnace  of  affliction,  and  he  has  said  of  us  as 
he  said  of  them,  '  This  people  have  I  formed  for  myself;  they  shall 
show  forth  my  praise.'  Let  our  principal  anxiety  now  be  that  this 
new  sorrow  may  be  a  sanctified  sorrow;  that  it  may  lead  us  to 
deeper  repentance,  to  a  more  humbling  sense  of  our  dependence 
upon  God,  and  to  the  more  unreserved  consecration  of  ourselves  and 
all  that  we  have  to  the  cause  of  truth  and  justice,  of  law  and  order, 
of  liberty  and  good  government,  of  pure  and  undefiled  religion. 
Then,  though  weeping  may  endure  for  a  night,  joy  will  come  in  the 
morning.  Blessed  be  God !  despite  of  this  great  and  sudden  and 
temporary  darkness,  the  morning  has  begun  to  dawn — the  morning 
of  a  bright  and  glorious  day,  such  as  our  country  has  never  seen. 
That  day  will  come,  and  not  tarry,  and  the  death  of  a  hundred 
Presidents  and  their  Cabinets  can  never,  never  prevent  it.  While 
we  are  thus  hopeful,  however,  let  us  also  be  humble.  Oh,  that  all 
our  rulers  and  all  our  people  may  lie  low  in  the  dust  to-day  beneath 
the  chastening  hand  of  God  !  and  may  their  voices  go  up  to  Him  as 
one  voice,  and  their  hearts  go  up  to  Him  as  one  heart,  pleading  with 
Him  for  mercy,  for  grace  to  sanctify  our  great  and  sore  bereave 
ment,  and  for  wisdom  to  guide  us  in  this  our  time  of  need.  Such  a 
united  cry  and  pleading  will  not  be  in  vain.  It  will  enter  into  the 
ear  and  heart  of  Him  who  sits  upon  the  throne,  and  He  will  say  to 
us,  as  to  ancient  Israel,  '  In  a  little  wrath  I  hid  my  face  from  thee 
fur  a  moment;  but  with  everlasting  kindness  will  I  have  mercy 
upon  thee,  saith  the  Lord,  thy  Redeemer.' " 


90  LINCOLN  MEMORIAL. 

SERMON  BY  REV.  HENRY  W.  BELLOWS, 

DELIVERED  AT  ALL  SOULS'  CHURCH,  NEW  YORK,  ox  EASTER  MORNING. 

"  Sorrow  hath  filled  your  heart.  Nevertheless  I  tell  you  the  truth.  It  is 
expedient  for  you  that  I  go  away,  for  if  I  go  not  away,  the  Comforter  will  not 
come  unto  you  ;  but  if  I  depart,  I  will  send  him  unto  you." — St.  John,  xvi.  7. 

So  Jesus,  in  view  of  his  own  approaching-  death,  comforted  his 
disciples  !  He  was  to  leave  them,  robbed  by  violence  of  their  ac 
customed  leader;  he  whom  they  had  believed  should  redeem  Israel 
snatched  wickedly  and  ignominiously  from  'their  side;  all  their 
hopes  of  prosperity  and  power  in  this  world  utterly  destroyed.  He 
was  to  leave  them  a  dismayed  and  broken-hearted  band,  terror- 
stricken  and  scattered  abroad,  the  enemies  of  their  beloved  Lord 
triumphant  over  Him;  His  words  and  teachings  as  yet  involved  in 
obscurity  and  mystery;  their  souls  ungrown  in  his  likeness;  the 
nature  of  their  Master's  errand  in  this  world  not  yet  understood — 
nay,  misunderstood  almost  as  sadly  by  his  disciples  as  by  the  Jews 
who  murdered  him.  Knowing,  as  our  Saviour  did,  just  how  they 
were  to  be  affected  by  his  death,  how  utterly  appalled  and  be 
wildered,  he  still  tells  them,  "  It  is  expedient  for  you  that  I  go 
away,  for  if  I  go  riot  away  the  Comforter  (who  should  abide  with 
them  forever)  will  not  come  unto  you  ;  but  if  I  depart  I  will  send 
him  unto  you." 

We  understand  now,  looking  back  nineteen  centuries,  how  truly 
Jesus  spake.  We  see  that  without  that  death  there  could  not  have 
been  that  resurrection  from  the  dead;  that  Jesus  Christ  was  re 
vealed  to  his  disciples  as  a  spiritual  prince  and  deliverer,  as  Lord 
over  the  grave  and  king  of  saints  immortal,  in  the  defeat  of  all  am 
bitions  having  their  seat  in  this  world  ;  that  he  died  to  prove  that 
death  was  not  the  end  of  being,  but  the  real  beginning  of  a  true 
life  ;  rose  again  to  show  that  it  was  "  appointed  unto  all  men  once 
to  die,"  it  was  not  because  fate  and  matter  were  stronger  than 
spirit,  or  because  death  was  inevitable,  but  simply  because  thus 
man  broke  out  of  fleshly  garments  into  a  higher  mode  of  existence. 
We  see  now  that  He  finally  left  his  disciples,  and  ascended  into 
heaven,  to  show  them  that  absence  in  the  flesh  is  often  only  a 
greater  nearness  of  the  spirit — that  His  power  to  enlighten,  guide, 
animate,  and  bless  them — yes,  to  comfort  and  cheer  them,  was 
greater  as  an  unseen  Saviour,  sitting  at  the  right  hand  of  God, 
than  as  a  present  incarnate  martyr,  in  whose  bosom  John  could  lie, 
and  into  whose  side  and  into  the  prints  of  whose  hands  Thomas 
could  thrust  his  doubting  fingers.  And  what  He  promised  He  fully 


EFFECT  OF  HIS  DEATH  UPON  THE  COUNTRY.  91 

performed  !  The  crucifixion  which  darkened  the  heavens  with  its 
gloom,  gave  way  to  the  resurrection,  which  not  only  broke  Christ's 
own  tomb  and  the  tombs  of  many  saints,  but  slew  the  Angel  of 
Death  himself;  leaving  him  only  the  mock  dignity  of  a  name  with 
out  reality;  which  let  into  the  apostles'  minds,  and  through  them 
into  the  world,  their  first  conception  of  the  utter  spirituality  of 
Christ's  kingdom;  converted  them  from  Jews  into  Christians  indeed ; 
began  the  new  era,  and  from  ordinary  fishermen  created  those  glo 
rious,  sublime  apostles  whose  teachings,  character,  deeds,  and  suf 
ferings  built  up  the  Church  on  the  chief  corner-stone,  and  established 
our  holy  religion  in  the  world. 

And  it  was  not  only  expedient  for  Jesus  Christ  to  die,  that  he 
might  rise  again  clothed  with  his  conquest  over  the  grave,  his  vic 
tory  over  the  doubts  and  fears  of  his  disciples,  and  the  bold  predic 
tions  and  short  triumph  of  his  murderers — but  expedient  for  him, 
in  his  ascension,  to  go  away  utterly  from  all  bodily  presence  with 
his  disciples  and  followers,  drawing  their  thoughts  and  affections 
after  him  into  the  unseen  world.  Thus  alone  could  Jesus  keep  the 
minds  and  hearts  of  his  disciples  wide  open  and  stretched  to  the 
full  compass  of  his  spiritual  religion — keep  them  from  closing  in 
again  with  their  narrow  earthly  horizon — keep  them  from  falling 
back  into  schemes  of  worldly  hope — from  substituting  fondness  for 
and  devotion  to  his  visible  person,  for  that  elevated,  spiritual  con 
secration  to  his  spirit  and  his  commandments,  on  which  their  future 
high  and  holy  influence  depended.  Jesus  went  away  that  the 
Christ  might  return  to  be  the  anointing,  and  illumination,  and 
Comforter  of  his  disciples.  His  nearest  friends  never  knew  him  till 
he  had  wholly  gone  away.  They  never  loved  him  till  he  was  be 
yond  their  embraces.  John  lying  in  his  bosom  was  not  as  near  his 
heart  as  thousands  of  his  humblest  disciples  have  been  who  have 
had  Christ  formed  within  them  by  communion  with  his  Holy  Spirit. 
That  going  away  created  and  inspired  the  apostles,  who,  under  God 
and  Christ,  created  and  inspired  the  Church.  Jesus  shook  off  his 
Judaic,  his  local  and  his  merely  human  character,  and  became  the 
universal  Son  of  Man,  the  native  of  all  countries,  the  contemporary 
of  all  times  and  eras,  the  ubiquitous  companion  and  common 
Saviour.  His  death,  his  resurrection,  his  ascension,  rehearsed  and 
symbolized  the  common  and  sublime  destiny  of  Humanity.  Man  is 
mortal,  arid  must  die  ;  man  is  immortal,  and  must  rise  again  ;  man 
is  a  spirit,  and  must  quit  the  limitations  of  earth  and  sense,  to  dwell 
with  God  in  a  world  of  spiritual  realities  ! 

Thus  Jesus  honored  the  flesh  he  took  upon  himself,  and  the  world 
he  lived  in;  honored  by  accepting  the  universal  lot  of  life  and 


92  LINCOLN  MEMORIAL. 

death.  But  at  the  same  time  that  he  honored  our  visible  conditions 
and  circumstances,  he  discrowned  them  of  their  assumed  sove 
reignty  over  us  by  triumphing  over  the  grave,  and  returning  in  the 
flesh  to  life  and  to  its  duties  and  necessities;  and  then,  finally,  he 
lifted  man  above  not  only  the  grave,  but  above  time  and  sense, 
matter  and  affairs,  by  ascending  into  the  unseen  world,  as  into  a 
more  real  state  of  existence,  and  promising  from  that  invisible  seat 
to  conduct  the  triumph  of  his  Church,  to  visit  and  cheer  the  hearts 
of  his  disciples,  and  to  be  with  them  until  the  end  of  the  world, 
when  His  kingdom  should  come  fully,  and  God's  will  be  done  in 
earth  as  in  heaven.  Then  he  would  deliver  the  Kingdom  up  unto 
the  Father,  that  God  might  be  all  in  all. 

And  has  it  not  indeed  been  so  ?  The  Comforter  has  come !  He 
came  to  the  Apostles,  and  wiped  away  their  doubts  and  fears,  their 
personal  ambitions,  their  Jewish  prejudices,  their  self-seeking  and 
self-saving  thoughts!  For  tongues  that  spake  only  the  dialects  of 
their  local  experience,  it  gives  them  tongues  of  fire,  burning  with 
an  eloquence  intelligible  in  all  lands  and  all  ages. 

And  what  but  a  Holy  Spirit,  a  descending  Saviour,  taking  of  the 
things  of  God  and  showing  them  unto  men,  has  been  the  strength 
and  salvation  of  human  hearts  from  that  hour  to  this  ?  How  has 
the  Master's  influence  grown,  how  mighty  his  consolations,  how  ir 
resistible  the  inspirations  of  his  grace  and  truth  !  Buried  in  cata 
combs,  overwhelmed  with  the  wrath  of  mighty  kings  and  princes, 
resisted  and  withstood  by  all  the  pride  of  philosophers  and  sages, 
protested  by  the  vulgar  senses  and  denied  by  the  coarse  appetites 
of  man — the  holy  faith,  planted  in  Christ's  broken  tomb,  has  with 
stood  the  rigors  of  every  climate,  outlived  the  swords  and  axes  that 
have  turned  their  edge  against  it,  the  hoofs  of  horses  and  the  iron 
heels  of  mailed  hosts  that  have  trampled  it  in  the  dust,  been  nour 
ished  by  the  blood  of  the  martyrs  that  died  for  its  glory  and 
defence,  and  has  overrun  the  very  cities  that  slew  its  apostles, 
crossed  oceans  unknown  to  the  empires  that  defied  or  despised  it, 
become  the  glory  and  hope  of  a  civilization  known  only  by  its 
name!  The  Comforter  indeed!  What  visible  bodily  master  could 
visit  every  day  the  millions  of  homes  that  the  ascended  Christ  now 
takes  in  the  daily  circuit  of  His  divine  walk  ?  And  what  lips  could 
articulate  the  unspeakable  wisdom  he  distils  into  lowly  hearts  that 
feel,  but  can  never  tell,  the  joy  and  trust  and  truth  he  imparts  ? 
Ah !  the  best  part  of  the  gospel  is  that  word  which  cannot  be 
uttered,  but  which  comes  and  abides  with  the  believing  soul — that 
tender  experience  of  a  life  hidden  with  Christ  in  God,  which  it  is  no 
more  given  to  reveal  in  language,  than  it  is  to  describe  the  things 


EFFECT  OF  HIS  DEATH  UPON  THE  COUNTRY.  93 

which  God  hath  prepared  for  them  that  love  him  !  Yes  !  on  this 
holy  Easter  morning,  when  the  mild  spring  air  is  full  of  God's 
quickening  love,  knd  the  breeze  goes  whispering  in  the  ear  of  every 
dry  root  and  quivering  stalk,  the  promise  of  a  new  life,  a  glorious 
resurrection,  is  there  not  a  winged  but  viewless  Comforter,  noise 
lessly  fluttering  in  at  the  windows  of  all  Christian  homes,  and 
gently  stirring  in  the  hearts  that  have  inherited  their  fathers'  faith 
the  blessed  assurance  of  God's  eternal  love;  of  the  soul's  supe 
riority  to  time  and  sense,  to  death  and  hell,  of  the  supporting  pre 
sence  of  a  Saviour's  love  and  care,  with  all  the  pageant  invitations, 
encouragements  and  comforts  that  breathe  from  the  Gospels,  vital 
with  the  spirit  of  life,  the  death  and  resurrection  of  him  whose  his 
tory  they  record  ?  Can  we  read  the  New  Testament  to-day  and 
feel  that  it  is  only  common  print  we  peruse  ?  Are  Christ's  living 
words  only  remembered  phrases  ?  or  do  we  seem  to  hear  them 
spoken  from  heaven  by  Him  who  is  the  Word  of  God,  and  with  a 
music  and  a  meaning  that  all  "  the  harpers,  harping  with  their 
harps"  could  not  intensify  or  sweeten,  making  our  souls  burn  within 
us  as  when  of  old  he  walked  and  talked  by  the  way,  at  Emmaus, 
with  his  disciples. 

It  is,  dear  brethren,  the  faith  and  hope  and  trust  of  those  inspired 
by  the  Comforter  Jesus  sent,  that  enables  us  to  confront  without 
utter  dismay  the  appalling  visitation  that  has  just  fallen  with  such 
terrible  suddenness  upon  the  country  and  the  national  cause!  With 
a  heart  almost  withered,  a  brain  almost  paralyzed  by  the  shock,  I 
turn  in  vain  for  consolation  to  any  other  than  the  Comforter!  Just 
as  we  were  wreathing  the  laurels  of  our  victories  and  the  chaplets 
of  our  peace  in  with  the  Easter  flowers  that  bloom  around  the 
empty  sepulchre  of  our  ascended  Lord  ;  just  as  we  were  preparing 
the  fit  and  luminous  celebration  of  a  nation's  joy  in  its  providential 
deliverance  from  a  most  bloody  and  costly  war,  and  feeling  that  the 
Resurrection  of  Christ  was  freshly  and  gloriously  interpreted  by  the 
rising  of  our  smitten,  humiliated,  reviled,  and  crucified  country, 
buried  in  the  distrust  of  foreign  nations  and  the  intentions  of  rebel 
hearts;  a  country  rising  from  the  tomb,  where  she  had  left  as  dis 
carded  grave-clothes,  the  accursed  vestments  of  slavery  that  had 
poisoned,  enfeebled,  and  nearly  destroyed  her  first  life  ;  a  country 
rising  to  a  higher,  purer  existence  under  the  guidance  of  a  chief 
whom  it  fondly  thought  sent  from  above  to  lead  it  cautiously,  wisely, 
conscientiously,  successfully,  like  another  Moses,  through  the  Rod 
Sea  into  the  promised  land  ;  just  then,  at  the  proud  moment  when 
the  nation,  its  four  years  of  conflict  fully  sounded,  had  announced 
its  ability  to  diminish  its  armaments,  withdraw  its  call  for  troops 


94  LINCOLN  MEMORIAL. 

and  its  restrictions  on  intercourse,  comes  as  out  of  a  clear  heaven 
the  thunderbolt  that  pierces  the  tender,  sacred  head  that  we  were 
ready  to  crown  with  a  nation's  blessings,  while  trusting  to  its  wis- 
•dom  and  gentleness,  its  faithfulness  and  prudence,  the  closing  up 
of  the  country's  wounds,  and  the  apparelling  of  the  nation,  her  ar 
mor  laid  aside,  in  the  white  robes  of  peace. 

Our  beloved  President,  who  had  enshrined  himself  not  merely  i> 
the  confidence,  the  respect,  and  the  gratitude  of  the  people,  but  ii. 
their  very  hearts,  as  their  true  friend,  adviser,  representative,  and 
brother  ;  whom  the  nation  loved  as  much  as  it  revered  ;  who  had 
soothed  our  angry  impatience  in  this  fearful  struggle  with  his  gentle 
moderation  and  passionless  calm;  who  had  been  the  head  of  the 
nation,  and  not  the  chief  of  a  successful  party  ;  and  had  treated 
our  enemies  like  rebellious  children,  and  not  as  foreign  foes,  provid 
ing  even  in  their  chastisement  for  mercy  and  penitent  restoration  ; 
our  prudent,  firm,  humble,  reverential,  God-fearing  President  is 
dead  ! 

The  assassin's  hand  has  reached  him  who  was  belted  round  with 
a  nation's  devotion,  and  whom  a  million  soldiers  have  hitherto  en 
circled  with  their  watchful  guardianship.  Panoplied  in  honesty 
and  simplicity  of  purpose,  too  universally  well-disposed  to  believe 
in  danger  to  himself,  free  from  ambition,  self-consequence,  and  show, 
he  has  always  shown  a  fearless  heart,  gone  often  to  the  front,  made 
himself  accessible  to  all  at  home,  trusted  the  people,  joined  their 
amusements,  answered  their  summons,  and  laid  himself  open  every 
day  to  the  malice  and  murderous  chances  of  domestic  foes.  It 
seemed  as  if  no  man  could  raise  his  hand  against  that  meek  ruler, 
or  confront  with  purpose  of  injury  that  loving  eye,  that  sorrow- 
stricken  face,  ploughed  with  care,  and  watchings,  and  tears!  So 
marked  with  upright  patient  purposes  of  good  to  all,  of  justice  and 
mercy,  of  sagacious  roundabout  wisdom,  was  his  homely  paternal 
countenance,  that  I  do  not  wonder  that  his  murderer  killed  him  from 
behind,  and  could  not  face  the  look  that  would  have  disarmed  him 
in  the  very  moment  of  his  criminal  madness. 

But  he  has  gone  !  Abraham  Lincoln,  President  of  the  United 
States  during  the  most  difficult,  trying,  and  important  period  of  the 
nation's  history;  safe  conductor  of  our  policy  through  a  crisis  such 
as  no  other  people  ever  had  to  pass;  successful  summoner  of  a  million 
and  a  quarter  of  American  citizens  to  arms  in  behalf  of  their  flag  and 
their  Union  ;  author  of  the  Proclamation  of  Emancipation  ;  the  peo 
ple's  President;  the  heir  of  Washington's  place  at  the  hearths  and 
altars  of  the  land  ;  legitimate  idol  of  the  negro  race — the  perfect 
type  of  American  democracy — the  astute  adviser  of  our  generals  in 


EFFECT  OF  HIS  DEATH  UPON  THE  COUNTRY.  95 

the  field ;  the  careful  student  of  their  strategy,  and  their  personal 
friend  and  inspirer  ;  the  head  of  his  Cabinet,  prevailing-  by  the  pas 
sionless  simplicity  of  his  integrity  and  unselfish  patriotism  over  the 
larger  experience,  the  more  brilliant  gifts,  the  more  vigorous  pur 
poses  of  his  constitutional  advisers  ;  a  President  indeed  ;  not  the 
mere  figure-head  of  the  State,  but  its  helmsman  and  pilot;  shrinking 
from  no  perplexity,  magnanimous  in  self-accusation  and  in  readiness 
to  gather  into  his  own  bosom  the  spears  of  rebuke  aimed  at  his 
counsellors  and  agents ;  the  tireless  servant  of  his  place  ;  no  duty 
so  small  and  wearisome  that  he  shirked  it,  none  so  great  and  per 
sistent  that  he  sought  to  fling  it  upon  others  ;  the  man  who,  fully 
tried  (not  without  fitful  vacillations  of  public  sentiment  which  vis 
ited  on  him  the  difficulties  of  the  times  and  situation),  tried  through 
four  years  in  which  every  quality  of  the  man,  the  statesman,  the 
Christian,  was  tested  ;  in  the  face  of  a  jeering  enemy  and  foreign 
sneers  and  domestic  ribaldry,  elected  again  by  overwhelming  ma 
jorities  to  be  their  chief  and  their  representative  during  another  term 
of  office,  in  which  it  was  supposed  even  superior  qualities  and  ser 
vices  would  be  required  to  meet  the  nation's  exigencies.  This  tried, 
this  honored,  this  beloved  head  of  the  government  and  country  is, 
alas  !  suddenly  snatched  from  us  at  the  moment  of  our  greatest  need 
and  our  greatest  joy,  and  taken  up  higher  to  his  heavenly  reward  ! 
Thank  God,  he  knew  how  the  nation  loved  and  reverenced  him  ! 
His  re-election  was  the  most  solid  proof  of  that  which  could  pos 
sibly  have  been  given.  He  has  tasted,  too,  the  negro's  pious  grati 
tude  and  tearful,  glorious  affection  !  He  had  lived  to  give  the  order 
for  ceasing  our  preparations  for  war — an  act  almost  equivalent  to 
proclaiming  peace  !  He  had  seen  of  the  travail  of  his  soul,  and  was 
satisfied.  He  had  done  the  work  of  a  life  in  his  first  term  of  ser 
vice  ;  almost  every  day  of  his  second  term,  not  forty  days  old,  had 
been  marked  with  victories,  until  no  good  news  could  have  been  re 
ceived  that  would  have  much  swelled  his  joy  and  honest  pride  ! 
And  now,  as  the  typical  figure,  the  historic  name  of  this  great  era, 
its  glory  rounded  and  full,  the  Almighty  Wisdom  has  seen  fit  to 
close  the  record,  and  isolate  the  special  work  he  has  done,  lest  by 
any  possible  mischance  the  flawless  beauty  and  symmetric  oneness 
of  the  President's  career  should  be  impaired,  its  unique  glory  com 
promised  by  after  issues,  or  its  special  lustre  mixed  with  rays  of 
another  color,  though  it  might  be  of  an  equal  splendor  ! 

The  Past,  at  least,  is  secure  !  Nothing  can  touch  him  further. 
Standing  the  central  form  in  the  field  of  this  mighty,  providential 
struggle,  he  fitly  represents  the  purity,  calmness,  justice,  and  mercy 
of  the  loyal  American  people  ;  their  unconquered  resolution  to  con- 


96  LINCOLN  MEMORIAL. 

quer  secession  and  break  slavery  in  pieces  ;  their  sober,  mild  sense ; 
their  religious  confidence  that  God  is  on  their  side,  and  their  cause 
the  cause  of  universal  humanity  !  Let  us  be  reconciled  to  the  ap 
pointment  which  has  released  that  weighty  and  patient  head,  that 
pathetic  tender  heart,  that  worn  and  weary  hand  from  the  perplex 
ing  details  of  national  rehabilitation.  Let  the  lesser,  meaner  cares 
and  anxieties  of  the  country  fall  on  other  shoulders  than  those  which 
have  borne  up  the  pillars  of  the  nation  when  shaken  with  the  earth 
quake. 

And  seeing  it  is  God  who  has  afflicted  us,  who  doeth  all  things 
well,  let  us  believe  that  it  is  expedient  for  us  that  our  beloved  chief 
should  go  away.  He  goes  to  consecrate  his  work  by  flinging  his 
life  as  well  as  his  labors  and  his  conscience  into  the  nation's  cause. 
He  that  has  cheered  so  many  on  to  bloody  sacrifice,  found  unex 
pected,  surprising  opportunity  to  give  also  his  own  blood!  He  died,  as 
truly  as  any  warrior  dies  on  the  battle-field,  in  the  nation's  service,  and 
shed  his  blood  for  her  sake  !  It  was  the  nation  that  was  aimed  at 
by  the  bullet  that  stilled  his  aching  brain.  As  the  representative 
of  a  cause,  the  type  of  a  victory,  he  was  singled  out  and  slain  !  His 
life  and  career  now  have  the  martyr's  palm  added  to  the  statesman's, 
philanthropist's,  and  patriot's  crowns.  His  place  is  sure  in  the  in 
nermost  shrine  of  his  country's  gratitude.  His  name  will  match 
with  Washington's,  and  go  with  it  laden  with  blessings  down  to  the 
remotest  posterity  ! 

And  may  we  not  have  needed  this  loss,  in  which  we  gain  a  na 
tional  martyr  and  an  ascended  leader,  to  inspire  us  from  his  heavenly 
seat,  where  with  the  other  father  of  his  country  he  sits  in  glory, 
while  they  send  united  benedictions  arid  lessons  of  comfort  and  of 
guidance  down  upon  their  common  children — may  we  not  have 
needed  this  loss  to  sober  our  hearts  in  the  midst  of  our  national 
triumph,  lest  in  the  excess  of  our  joy  and  our  pride  we  should  overstep 
the  bounds  of  that  prudence  and  the  limits  of  that  earnest  serious 
ness  which  our  affairs  demand  ?  We  have  stern  and  solemn  duties 
yet  to  perform,  great  and  anxious  tasks  to  achieve.  We  must  not, 
after  ploughing  the  fields  with  the  burning  share  of  civil  war,  and 
fertilizing  them  with  the  blood  and  bones  of  a  half  million  noble 
youth,  lose  the  great  harvest  by  wasting  the  short  season  of  in 
gathering  in  festive  joy  at  its  promise  and  its  fulness  !  We  have, 
perhaps,  been  prematurely  glad.  In  the  joy  of  seeing  our  haven  in 
view  we  have  been  disposed  to  slacken  the  cordage  and  let  the  sails 
flap  idly,  and  the  hands  go  below,  when  the  storm  was  not  fairly 
over  nor  all  the  breakers  out  of  sight  I  God  has  startled  us,  to  ap 
prize  us  of  our  peril  ;  to  warn  us  of  possible  mischances,  and  to 


EFFECT  OF  HIS  DEATH  UPON  THE  COUNTRY.  97 

caution  us  how  we  abuse  our  confidence  and  overtrust  our  enemy. 
I  hope  and  pray  that  the  nation  may  feel  itself,  by  the  dreadful  ca 
lamity  that  has  befallen  it,  summoned  to  its  knees  ;  called  to  a  still 
more  pious  sense  of  its  dependence,  toned  up  to  its  duties,  and  com 
pelled  to  watch  with  the  most  eager  patience  the  course  of  its  gen 
erals,  its  statesmen,  and  its  press.  It  cannot  be  for  nothing  vast 
and  important  that  the  venerated  and  beloved  head  of  this  people 
and  his  chief  counsellor  and  companion  have  thus  been  brought 
low  in  an  hour,  one  to  his  very  grave,  the  other  to  the  gates  of 
death  ! 

It  would  seem  as  if  every  element  of  tragic  power  and  pathos  were 
fated  to  enter  this  rebellion  and  mark  it  out  forever  as  a  warning  to 
the  world.  It  really  began  in  the  Senate  House,  when  the  bludgeon 
of  South  Carolina  felled  the  State  of  Massachusetts  and  the  honor 
of  the  Union  in  the  person  of  a  brave  and  eloquent  Senator.  The 
shot  at  Fort  Sumter  was  not  so  truly  the  fatal  beginning  of  the  war 
as  the  blow  in  the  Senate  Chamber.  That  blow  proclaimed  the 
barbarism,  the  cruelty,  the  stealthiness,  the  treachery,  the  reckless 
ness  of  reason  and  justice,  the  contempt  of  prudence  and  foresight 
which  a  hundred  years  of  legalized  oppression  and  inhumanity  had 
bred  in  the  South  1  And  now,  that  blow,  deepening  into  thunder, 
echoes  from  the  head  of  the  Chief  Magistrate,  as  if  slavery  could  not 
be  dismissed  forever,  until  her  barbaric  cruelty,  her  reckless  vio 
lence,  her  political  blasphemy,  had  illustrated  itself  upon  the  most 
conspicuous  arena,  under  the  most  damning  light  and  the  most 
memorable  and  uriforgetable  circumstances  in  which  crime  was  ever 
yet  committed  ! 

And  in  the  same  hour  that  the  thoughtful,  meek,  and  care-worn 
head  of  the  President  was  smitten  to  death — a  head  that  had  sunk 
to  its  pillow  for  so  many  months  full  of  unembittered,  gentle,  con 
ciliatory,  yet  anxious  and  watchful  thoughts — the  neck  on  which 
that  President  had  leaned  with  an  affectionate  confidence  that  was 
half  womanly,  during  all  his  administration,  was  assailed  with  the 
bowie-knife,  which  stands  for  Southern  vengeance,  and  slavery's 
natural  weapon  !  The  voice  of  the  free  North,  the  tongue  and 
throat  of  liberty,  was  fitly  assailed,  when  slavery  and  secession 
would  exhibit  her  dying  feat  of  malignant  revenge.  Through  the 
channels  of  that  neck  had  flowed  for  thirty  years,  the  temperate, 
persistent,  strong,  steady  currents  of  this  nation's  resistance  to  the 
encroachments  of  the  slave-power,  of  this  people's  aspirations  for 
release  from  the  curse  and  the  peril  of  a  growing  race  of  slaves. 
That  throat  had  voiced  the  nation's  great  argument  in  the  Senate 
Chamber.  The  arm  that  had  written  the  great  series  of  letters 

7 


98  LINCOLN  MEMORIAL. 

which  defended  the  nation  from  the  schemes  of  foreign  diplomatists, 
was  already  accidentally  broken  ;  the  ^aw  that  had  so  eloquently 
moved  was  dislocated  too  ;  but  slavery  remembered  the  neck  that 
bowed  not  when  most  others  were  bent  to  her  power;  remembered 
the  throat  that  was  vocal  in  her  condemnation  when  most  others  in 
public  life  were  silent  from  policy  or  fear  ;  remembered  the  words 
of  him,  who  more  than  any  man,  slew  her  with  his  tongue  ;  and  so 
her  last  assault  was  upon  the  jugular  veins  of  the  Secretary  of 
State.  Her  bloodhounds  sprang  at  the  throat  of  him  who  had  de 
nied  their  right  and  broken  their  power  to  spring  at  the  neck  of  the 
slave  himself ! 

But  thus  far,  thank  God,  slavery  is  baffled  in  her  last  effort. 
Mr.  Seward  lives  to  tell  us  what  no  man  knows  so  well,  the  terrible 
perils  through  which  we  have  passed  at  home  and  abroad  ;  lives  to 
tell  us  the  goodness,  the  wisdom,  the  piety  of  the  President  he  was 
never  weary  of  praising.  "  He  is  the  best  man  I  ever  knew,"  he  said 
to  me  a  year  ago.  What  a  eulogy  from  one  so  experienced,  so  acute, 
so  wise,  so  gentle!  Ah,  brethren,  the  head  of  the  government  is 
gone  ;  but  he  who  knew  his  counsels,  and  was  his  other  self,  still 
lives,  and  may  God  hear  to-day  a  nation's  prayer  for  his  life. 

Meanwhile  heaven  rejoices  this  Easter  morning  in  the  resur 
rection  of  our  lost  leader,  honored  in  the  day  of  his  death  ;  dying 
on  the  anniversary  of  our  Lord's  great  sacrifice,  a  mighty  sacrifice 
himself  for  the  sins  of  a  whole  people. 

We  will  not  grudge  him  his  release,  or  selfishly  recall  him  from 
his  rest  and  his  reward  !  The  only  unpitied  object  in  this  national 
tragedy,  he  treads  to-day  the  courts  of  light,  radiant  with  the  joy 
that  even  in  heaven  celebrates  our  Saviour's  resurrection  from  the 
dead  !  The  sables  we  hang  in  our  sanctuaries  and  streets  have  no 
place  where  he  is  !  His  hearse  is  plumed  with  a  nation's  grief ; 
his  resurrection  is  hailed  with  the  songs  of  revolutionary  patriots, 
of  soldiers  that  have  died  for  their  country.  He,  the  comrnander-in- 
chief,  has  gone  to  his  army  of  the  dead  !  The  patriot  President  has 
gone  to  our  Washington  !  The  meek  and  lowly  Christian  is  to-day 
with  him  who  said  on  earth,  "  Come  unto  me,  all  ye  that  labor  and  are 
heavily  laden,  and  I  will  give  you  rest,"  and  who,  rising  to-day,  ful 
fils  his  glorious  words,  "  I  am  the  resurrection  and  the  life;  he  that 
believeth  in  me,  though  he  were  dead,  yet  shall  he  live:  and  whoso 
liveth  and  believeth  in  me  shall  never  die." 


EFEECT  OF  HIS  DEATH  UPON  THE  COUNTRY.  1)9 

At  St.  Patrick's  Cathedral,  New  York,  after  the  Pontifical 
Mass  was  finished,  Archbishop  McCloskey,  from  the  steps  of 
the  altar,  spoke  as  follows : 

"  You  will,  I  trust,  beloved  brethren,  pardon  me  if,  notwithstand 
ing  the  length  of  the  services  at  which  you  have  been  assisting,  I 
should  ask  the  privilege  of  trespassing  for  a  few  moments  more 
upon  your  patience.  The  privilege  I  ask  is,  indeed,  a  sad  and 
mournful  one,  a  privilege  that  I  have  reserved  for  myself  alone,  for 
the  reason  that  I  could  not,  and  that  I  cannot,  without  injustice  to 
my  own  feelings,  and,  I  am  sure,  to  your  feelings  also,  allow  myself 
to  forego  it;  and  that  privilege,  as  you  doubtless  already  anticipate, 
is  of  addressing  to  you  at  least  a  few  brief  and  imperfect  words  in 
regard  to  the  great,  and,  I  may  say,  the  awful  calamity  which  has 
so  unexpectedly  and  so  suddenly  fallen  upon  our  beloved  and  now 
still  more  than  ever  afflicted  country.  But  two  days  ago  we  beheld 
the  rejoicings  of  an  exultant  people,  mingling  even  with  the  sor 
rowful  memory  of  our  Saviour's  crucifixion.  To-day  we  behold 
that  same  people's  sorrow  mingling  with  the  grand  rejoicings  of 
our  Saviour's  resurrection.  It  is,  indeed,  a  sad  and  a  sudden  trans 
formation.  It  is  a  mournful — it  is  even  a  startling  contrast.  The 
Church  could  not  divest  herself  of  her  habiliments  of  woe  in  Good 
Friday,  neither  can  she  now  lay  aside  her  festive  robes,  nor  hush 
her  notes  of  joy,  gladness,  and  thanksgiving  on  this,  her  glorious 
Easter  Sunday.  Still,  although  as  children  of  the  Church  we  must 
and  do  participate  in  all  her  sentiments  of  joy,  yet,  at  the  same 
time,  as  children  of  the  nation,  as  children  of  this  Republic,  we  do 
not  less  sincerely,  or  less  feelingly,  or  less  largely,  share  in  that 
nation's  grief  and  sorrow.  Oh,  no!  There  is  but  one  feeling  that 
pervades  all  hearts,  without  distinction  of  party  or  of  creed, 
without  distinction  of  race  or  of  color  ;  one  universal  senti 
ment  of  a  great  and  a  fearful  bereavement,  of  the  heavy,  and 
I  had  almost  said,  crushing  suffering,  that  has  just  befallen 
us.  All  feel,  all  acknowledge,  that  in  that  death  which  has 
so  recently  come  to  pass,  in  that  sudden  and  awful  death  of  the 
Chief  Magistrate  of  this  country,  the  entire  nation,  North  and  South, 
has  sustained  a  great,  a  very  great  loss;  and  if  we  took  counsel  of 
our  fears,  we  might  say  an  almost  irreparable  loss.  But,  no!  Our 
hopes  are  stronger,  far  stronger,  than  our  fears;  our  trust  and  con 
fidence  in  a  good,  gracious,  and  merciful  God  is  stronger  than  the 
foreshadowings  of  what  may  be  awaiting  us  in  the  future;  and  it 
is  to  Him  to-day,  in  our  trials  and  adversities,  we  raise  our  voices 
in  supplication.  Him  we  beseech  to  give  light  to  those  who  are 


100  LINCOLN  MEMORIAL. 

and  who  are  to  be  the  rulers  of  the  destinies  of  our  nation,  that  He 
may  give  life  and  safety  and  peace  to  our  beloved  country.  We 
pray  that  those  sentiments  of  mercy,  of  clemency,  and  of  concilia 
tion,  that  filled  the  heart  of  the  beloved  President  we  have  just 
lost,  may  animate  the  breast  and  guide  the  actions  of  him  who  in 
this  most  trying  hour  is  called  to  fill  his  place.  And  we  may  take 
comfort,  beloved  brethren,  in  the  thought  that  in  the  latest  intelli 
gence  which  has  reached  us,  the  honored  Secretary  of  State  (a  man 
full  of  years  and  of  honors),  who  was,  like  his  superior,  stricken 
down  by  the  hand  of  a  ruthless  assassin,  still  lives,  and  well- 
founded  hopes  are  entertained  of  his  final  recovery.  Let  us  pray, 
then,  that  a  life  always  valuable,  but  in  this  critical  state  of  affairs 
dear  to  every  one  of  us,  may  be  long  preserved,  and  that  the  new 
President  may  have  the  advantage  of  the  wisdom,  the  experience, 
and  the  prudence  of  this  honored  Secretary  of  State.  'I  need  not 
tell  you,  my  beloved  brethren,  children  of  the  Catholic  Church,  to 
leave  nothing  undone  to  show  your  devotion,  your  attachment,  and 
your  fidelity  to  the  institutions  of  your  country  in  this  great  crisis, 
this  trying  hour.  I  need  not  ask  you  to  omit  nothing  in  joining  in 
every  testimonial  of  respect  and  honor  to  the  memory  of  that  Presi 
dent,  now,  alas!  no  more.  On  whatever  day  may  be  appointed  for 
his  obsequies,  although  the  solemn  dirge  of  requiem  cannot  resound 
within  these  walls,  yet  the  dirge  of  sorrow,  of  grief,  and  of  be 
wailing,  can  echo  and  re-echo  within  your  hearts.  And,  on  that  day, 
whenever  it  may  be,  the  doors  of  this  Cathedral  shall  be-  thrown 
open,  that  you,  beloved  brethren,  may  bow  down  before  this  altar, 
adoring  the  inscrutable  decrees  of  a  just  and  all-wise  Providence, 
beseeching  His  mercy  on  us  all,  and  imploring  Him,  that  now  at 
least  His  anger  may  be  appeased,  and  that  the  cruel  scourge  of 
war  cease,  and  that  those  rivers  and  torrents  of  human  blood,  of 
fratricidal  blood,  that  have  been  saturating  for  so  long  a  time  the 
soil  of  our  beloved  country  may  no  longer  flow  over  our  unhappy 
land.  Yes,  let  us  pray,  while  almost  even  in  sight  of  that  deed  of 
horror,  which,  like  an  electric  shock,  has  come  upon  and  appalled 
our  fellow-citizens  in  every  section  of  the  land — let  us  pray  to  Him 
that  we  may  now  forget  our  enmities,  and  that  we  may  be  enabled 
to  restore  that  peace  which  has  so  long  been  broken.  Let  us  take 
care,  beloved  brethren,  that  no  spirit  of  retribution  or  of  wicked 
spite,  or  of  malice,  or  resentment,  shall,  at  this  moment,  take  pos 
session  of  our  hearts.  The  hand  of  God  is  upon  us;  let  us  take 
care  that  we  do  not  provoke  Him  to  bow  us  down  with  misery  and 
woe.  Even  over  the  grave  of  the  illustrious  departed  who  has 
been  taken  from  us,  over  the  graves  of  so  many  enemies  and  friends, 


EFFECT  OF  HIS  DEATH  UPON  THE  COUNTRY.  101 

in  every  section  of  the  land,  fallen  in  the  deadly  'conflict,  let  us  liope 
that  those  who  are  spared,  who  are  still'  living  m^y  com«  aad.join 
their  hands  together  in  sweet  forgiveness ;-  and  let  us  pledge  our 
selves,  one  to  the  other,  that  we  will  move  and  act  together  in  unity 
and  in  perpetual  and  Divine  peace." 

The  Rev.  Henry  Ward  Beecher  not  arriving  in  season  to 
pronounce  a  discourse  on  that  day,  delivered  at  Plymouth 
Church,  Brooklyn,  on  the  ensuing  Sunday,  this  sermon. 

DISCOURSE  OF  REV.  HENRY  WARD  BEECHER. 

"  And  Moses  went  up  from  the  plains  of  Moab,  unto  the  mountain  of  Nebo, 
to  the  top  of  Pisgah,  that  is  over  against  Jericho  :  and  the  Lord  showed  him 
the  land  of  Gilead,  unto  Dan. 

"  And  all  Naphtali,  and  the  land  of  Ephraim  and  Manasseh,  and  all  the 
land  of  Judah,  unto  the  utmost  sea. 

"  And  the  South,  and  the  plain  of  the  valley  of  Jericho,  the  city  of  palm- 
trees,  unto  Zoar. 

"  And  the  Lord  said  unto  him,  This  is  the  land  which  I  sware  unto  Abra 
ham,  unto  Isaac,  and  unto  Jacob,  saying,  I  will  give  it  unto  thy  seed  :  I  have 
caused  thee  to  see  it  with  thine  eyes,  but  thou  shalt  not  go  over  thither. 

"  So  Moses,  the  servant  of  the  Lord,  died  there  in  the  land  of  Moab,  ac 
cording  to  the  word  of  the  Lord." 

There  is  no  historic  figure  more  noble  than  that  of  the  Jewish 
lawgiver.  After  many  thousand  years  the  figure  of  Moses  is  not 
diminished,  but  stands  up  against  the  background  of  early  days, 
distinct  and  individual  as  if  he  lived  but  yesterday.  There  is 
scarcely  another  event  in  history  more  touching  than  his  death. 
He  had  borne  the  great  burdens  of  state  for  forty  years,  shaped  the 
Jews  to  a  nation,  filled  out  their  civil  and  religious  polity,  admin 
istered  their  laws,  and  guided  their  steps,  or  dwelt  with  them  in  all 
their  sojourning  in  the  wilderness,  had  mourned  in  their  punishment, 
kept  step  with  their  marches,  and  led  them  in  wars,  until  the  end 
of  their  labors  drew  nigh,  the  last  stages  were  reached,  and  Jordan 
only  lay  between  them  and  the  promised  land.  The  Promised 
Land  !  Oh  what  yearnings  had  heaved  his  breast  for  that  Divinely 
promised  place!  He  had  dreamed  of  it  by  night,  and  mused  by 
day;  it  was  holy,  and  endeared  as  God's  favored  spot;  it  was  to  be 
the  cradle  of  an  illustrious  history.  All  his  long,  laborious,  and 
now  weary  life,  he  had  aimed  at  this  as  the  consummation  of  every 
desire,  the  reward  of  every  toil  and  pain.  Then  came  the  word  of 
the  Lord  to  him,  "  Thou  must  not  go  over.  Get  thee  up  into  the 
mountain,  look  upon  it,  and  die."  From  that  silent  summit  the  hoary 
leader  gazed  to  the  north,  to  the  south,  to  the  west,  with  hungry 


102  LINCOLN  MEMORIAL. 

eyes.  The  dim  outlines  rose  up,  the  hazy  recesses  spoke  of  quiet 
vulleysy  \yith  e,ager,  longing,  with  sad  resignation,  he  looked  upon 
the  promised  land,  that  Vas  now  the  forbidden  land.  It  was  a  mo 
ment  of  anguish.  He  forgot  all  his  personal  wants  and  drank  in 
the  vision  of  his  people's  home.  His  work  was  done.  There  lay 
God's  promise  fulfilled.  There  was  the  seat  of  coming  Jerusalem — 
there  the  city  of  Jehovah's  King,  the  sphere  of  judges  and  pro 
phets,  the  mount  of  sorrow  and  salvation,  the  country  whence  were 
to  fly  blessings  to  all  mankind.  Joy  chased  sadness  from  every 
feature,  and  the  prophet  laid  him  down  and  died.  Again  a  great 
leader  of  the  people  has  passed  through  toil,  sorrow,  battle,  and 
war,  and  came  near  to  the  promised  land  of  peace,  into  which  he 
might  not  pass  over.  Who  shall  recount  our  martyr's  sufferings 
for  this  people?  Since  the  November  of  1860,  his  horizon  has  been 
black  with  storms.  By  day  and  by  night  he  trod  a  way  of  danger 
and  darkness.  On  his  shoulders  rested  a  government,  dearer  to 
him  than  his  own  life.  At  its  life  millions  were  striking  at  home; 
upon  it  foreign  eyes  were  lowered,  and  it  stood  like  a  lone  island 
in  a  sea  full  of  storms,  and  every  tide  and  wave  seemed  eager  to 
devour  it.  Upon  thousands  of  hearts  great  sorrows  and  anxieties 
have  rested,  but  upon  not  one  such,  and  in  such  measure,  as  upon 
that  simple,  truthful,  noble  soul,  our  faithful  and  sainted  Lincoln. 
Never  rising  to  the  enthusiasm  of  more  impassioned  natures  in 
hours  of  hope,  and  never  sinking  with  the  mercurial  in  hours  of 
defeat  to  the  depths  of  despondency,  he  held  on  with  unmovable 
patience  and  fortitude,  putting  caution  against  hope,  that  it  might 
not  be  premature,  and  hope  against  caution  that  it  might  not  yield 
to  dread  and  danger.  He  wrestled  ceaselessly  through  four  black 
and  dreadful  purgatorial  years,  when  God  was  cleansing  the  sins 
of  this  people  as  by  fire.  At  last  the  watchman  beheld  the  gray 
dawn.  The  mountains  began  to  give  forth  their  forms  from  out  of 
the  darkness,  and  the  East  came  rushing  towards  us  with  arms  full 
of  joy  for  all  our  sorrows.  Then  it  was  for  him  to  be  glad  exceed 
ingly  that  had  sorrowed  immeasurably.  Peace  could  bring  to  no 
other  heart  such  joy,  such  rest,  such  honor,  such  trust,  such  grati 
tude.  He  but  looked  upon  it  as  Moses  looked  upon  the  promised 
land.  Then  the  wail  of  a  nation  proclaimed  that  he  had  gone  from 
among  us.  Not  thine  the  sorrow,  but  ours. 

Sainted  soul,  thou  hast  indeed  entered  the  promised  rest,  while 
we  are  yet  on  the  march.  To  us  remains  the  rocking  of  the  deep, 
the  storm  upon  the  land,  days  of  duty  and  nights  of  watching;  but 
thou  art  sphered  above  all  darkness  and  fear,  beyond  all  sorrow  or 
weariness.  Rest,  0  weary  heart!  Rejoice  exceedingly,  thou  that 


EFFECT  OF  HIS  DEATH  UPON  THE  COUNTRY.  103 

hast  enough  suffered.  Thou  hast  beheld  Him  who  invariably  led 
thee  in  this  great  wilderness.  Thou  standest  among  the  elect; 
around  thee  are  the  royal  men  that  have  ennobled  human  life  in 
every  age;  kingly  art  thou,  with  glory  on  thy  brow  as  a  diadem, 
and  joy  is  upon  thee  for  evermore!  Over  all  this  land,  over  all  the 
little  cloud  of  years  that  now,  from  thine  infinite  horizon,  waver 
back  from  thee  as  a  spark,  thou  art  lifted  up  as  high  as  the  star 
is  above  the  clouds  that  hide  us,  but  never  reach  it.  In  the  goodly 
company  of  Mount  Zion  thou  shalt  find  that  rest  which  so  many 
have  sought  in  vain,  and  thy  name,  an  everlasting  name  in  heaven, 
shall  flourish  in  fragrance  and  beauty  as  long  as  men  shall  last 
upon  the  earth,  or  hearts  remain  to  revere  truth,  fidelity,  and  good 
ness.  Never  did  two  such  orbs  of  experience  meet  in  the  same 
hemisphere  as  the  joy  and  sorrow  of  the  same  week  in  this  land. 
The  joy  was  as  sudden  as  if  no  man  had  expected  it,  and  as  en 
trancing  as  if  it  had  fallen  from  heaven.  It  rose  up  over  sobriety, 
and  swept  business  from  its  moorings,  and  down  through  the  land 
in  irresistible  course.  Men  wept  and  embraced  each  other;  they 
sang  or  prayed,  or  deeper  yet,  could  only  think  thanksgiving  and 
weep  gladness.  That  peace  was  sure — that  government  was  firmer 
than  ever — the  land  was  cleansed  of  plague — that  ages  were  opening 
to  our  footsteps,  and  we  were  to  begin  a  march  of  blessings — that 
blood  was  stanched,  and  scowling  enmities  sinking  like  spent 
storms  beneath  the  horizon — that  the  dear  fatherland,  nothing  lost 
but  much  gained,  was  to  rise  up  in  unexampled  honor  among  the 
nations  of  the  earth — these  thoughts,  and  that  undistinguishable 
throng  of  fancies,  and  hopes,  and  desires,  and  yearnings,  that  filled 
the  soul  with  tremblings  like  the  heated  air  of  midsummer  days — 
all  these  kindled  up  such  a  surge  of  joy  as  no  words  may  describe. 
In  an  hour,  joy  lay  without  a  pulse,  without  a  gleam  or  breath. 
A  sorrow  came  that  swept  through  the  land,  as  huge  storms  swept 
through  the  forest  and  field,  rolling  thunder  along  the  skies,  dis 
hevelling  the  flames  and  daunting  every  singer  in  the  thicket  or 
forest,  and  pouring  blackness  and  darkness  across  the  land  and  up 
the  mountains. 

Did  ever  so  many  hearts  in  so  brief  a  time  touch  two  such  bound 
less  feelings  ?  It  was  the  uttermost  joy  and  the  uttermost  of  sorrow 
— noon  and  midnight  without  space  between.  The  blow  brought 
not  a  sharp  pang.  It  was  so  terrible  that  at  first  it  stunned  sensi 
bility.  Citizens  were  like  men  awakened  at  midnight  by  an  earth 
quake,  and  bewildered  to  find  every  thing  that  they  were  accus 
tomed  to  trust  wavering  and  falling.  The  very  earth  was  no  longer 
solid.  The  first  feeling  was  the  least.  Men  waited  to  get  strengt  i 


104:  LINCOLN  MEMORIAL. 

to  feel.  They  wandered  in  the  streets  as  if  groping  after  some  im 
pending  dread,  or  undeveloped  sorrow.  They  met  each  other  as  if 
each  would  ask  the  other,  "  Arn  I  awake,  or  do  I  dream  ?"  There 
was  a  piteous  helplessness.  Strong  men  bowed  down  and  wept. 
Other  and  common  griefs  belong  to  some  one  in  chief,  they  are  pri 
vate  property  ;  but  this  was  each  man's  and  every  man's.  Every 
virtuous  household  in  the  land  felt  as  if  its  first-born  were  gone. 
Men  took  it  home.  They  were  bereaved,  and  walked  for  days  as  if  a 
corpse  lay  unburied  in  their  dwellings.  There  was  nothing  else  to 
think  of.  They  could  speak  of  nothing  but  that,  and  yet  of  that 
they  could  speak  only  falteringly.  All  business  was  laid  aside, 
pleasure  forgot  to  smile.  The  city  for  nearly  a  week  ceased  to 
roar,  and  great  Leviathan  laid  down  and  was  still.  Even  Avarice 
stood  still,  and  Greed  was  strangely  moved  to  generous  sympathy 
with  universal  sorrow.  Rear  to  his  name  monuments,  found  chari 
table  institutions,  and  with  his  name  above  their  heights,  but  no  mon 
ument  will  ever  equal  the  universal,  spontaneous,  and  sublime 
sorrow  that  in  a  moment  swept  down  lines  and  parties,  and  covered 
up  animosities,  and  in  an  hour  brought  a  divided  people  with  unity 
of  grief  and  indivisible  fellowship  of  anguish  !  For  myself,  I  can 
not  yet  command  that  quietness  of  spirit  needed  for  a  just  and  tem 
perate  delineation  of  a  man  whom  Goodness  has  made  great.  I 
pass,  then,  to  some  considerations  aside  from  the  martyr  President's 
character,  reserving  that  for  a  future  occasion,  which  are  appro 
priate  to  this  time  and  place.  And,  first,  let  us  not  mourn  that  his 
departure  was  so  sudden,  nor  fill  our  imagination  with  horror  at  its 
method.  When  good  men  pray  for  deliverance  from  hidden  death, 
it  is  only  that  they  may  not  be  plunged,  without  preparation  and  all 
disrobed,  into  the  presence  of  the  Judge.  Men  long  eluding  and 
evading  sorrow,  when  suddenly  overtaken,  seem  enchanted  to  make 
it  great  to  the  uttermost — a  habit  which  is  not  Christian,  although 
it  is  doubtless  natural.  When  one  is  ready  to  depart,  suddenness 
is  a  blessing.  It  is  a  painful  sight  to  see  a  tree  overthrown  by  a 
tornado,  wrenched  from  its  foundation  and  broken  down  like  a  reed ; 
but  it  is  yet  more  painful  to  see  a  vast  and  venerable  tree  lingering 
with  vain  strife,  when  age  and  infirmity  have  marked  it  for  destruc 
tion.  The  process  of  decay  is  a  spectacle  humiliating  and  painful; 
but  it  seems  good  and  grand  for  one  to  go  from  duty  done  with 
pulse  high,  with  strength  full  and  nerve  strong,  terminating  a  noble 
life  in  a  fitting  manner.  Nor  are  we  without  Scripture  warrant  for 

these  thoughts  :  "  Let  your  loins  be  girded  about 

Blessed  are  those  servants  whom  the  Lord,  when  He  cometh,  shall 
find  watching."  .  .  .  Not  those  who  die  in  stupor  are  blessed, 


EFFECT  OF  HIS  DEATH  UPON  THE  COUNTRY.     105 

but  they  who  go  with  all  their  powers  about  them,  and  wide  awake 
as  to  a  wedding.  He  died  watching.  He  died  with  armor  on.  In 
the  midst  of  hours  of  labor,  in  the  very  heart  of  patriotic  consulta 
tions,  just  returned  from  camps  and  council,  he  was  stricken  down. 
No  fever  dried  his  blood — no  slow  waste  consumed  him.  All  at 
once,  in  full  strength  and  manhood,  with  his  girdle  tight  about  him, 
he  departed,  and  walks  with  God.  Nor  was  the  manner  of  his 
death  more  shocking,  if  we  will  surround  it  with  higher  associa 
tions.  Have  not  thousands  of  soldiers  fallen  on  the  field  of  battle 
by  the  bullets  of  an  enemy,  and  did  not  he  ?  All  soldiers  that  fall 
ask  to  depart  in  the  hour  of  victory,  and  at  such  an  hour  he  fell. 
There  was  not  a  poor  drummer-boy  in  all  this  war  that  has  fallen 
for  whom  the  great  heart  of  Lincoln  would  not  have  bled;  there  is 
not  one  private  soldier  without  note  of  name,  slain  among  thou 
sands,  and  hid  in  the  pit  among  hundreds,  without  even  the  memo 
rial  of  a  separate  burial,  for  whom  the  President  would  not  have 
wept.  He  was  a  man  from  and  of  the  people,  and  now  that  he  who 
might  not  bear  the  march,  the  toil  and  battle,  with  these  humble  cit 
izens,  has  been  called  to  die  by  the  bullet,  as  they  were,  do  you 
not  feel  that  there  is  a  peculiar  fitness  to  his  nature  and  life,  that  he 
should  in  death  be  joined  with  them  in  a  final  common  experience  ? 
For  myself,  when  any  event  is  susceptible  of  a  nobler  garnishing, 
I  cannot  understand  the  nature  or  character  of  those  who  seek 
rather  to  drag  it  down,  degrading  and  debasing,  rather  than  en 
nobling  and  sanctifying  it. 

Secondly.  This  blow  was  but  the  expiring  rebellion  ;  and  as  a 
miniature  gives  all  the  form  and  feature  of  its  subject,  so,  epito 
mized  in  this  foul  act,  we  find  the  whole  nature  and  disposition  of 
slavery.  It  begins  in  a  wanton  destruction  of  all  human  rights,  and 
in  the  desecration  of  all  the  sanctities  of  heart  and  home.  It  can 
be  maintained  only  at  the  sacrifice  of  every  right  moral  feeling  in 
its  abettors  and  upholders.  It  is  a  two-edged  sword,  cutting  both 
ways,  desolating  alike  the  oppressed  and  the  oppressor,  and  vio 
lently  destroying  manhood  in  the  victim,  it  insidiously  destroys  man 
hood  in  the  master.  No  man  born  and  bred  under  the  influence  of 
the  accursed  thing  can  possibly  maintain  his  manhood,  and  I  would 
as  soon  look  for  a  saint  in  the  darkness  of  perdition  as  for  a  man  of 
honor  in  this  hot-bed  of  iniquity.  The  problem  is  solved,  its  demon 
stration  is  complete.  Slavery  wastes  its  victims,  it  wastes  estates. 
It  destroys  public  morality,  it  corrupts  manhood  in  its  centre.  Com-' 
munities  in  which  it  exists  are  not  to  be  trusted.  Its  products  are 
rotten.  No  timber  grown  in  its  cursed  soil  is  fit  for  the  ribs  of  our 
.ship  of  State  or  for  our  household  homes.  The  people  are  selfish  in 


106  LINCOLN  MEMORIAL. 

their  patriotism,  and  brittle,  and  whoever  leans  on  them  for  support 
is  pierced  in  his  hand.  Their  honor  is  not  honor,  but  a  bastard 
quality  which  disgraces  the  name  of  honor,  and  for  all  time  the 
honor  of  the  supporters  of  slavery  will  be  throughout  the  earth  a 
by-word  and  a  hissing.  Their  whole  moral  nature  is  death-smitten. 
The  needless  rebellion,  the  treachery  of  its  leaders  to  oaths  and 
trusts,  their  violations  of  the  commonest  principles  of  fidelity,  sit 
ting  in  the  senate,  councils,  and  places  of  trust  only  to  betray  them 
— the  long,  general,  and  unparalleled  cruelty  to  prisoners,  without 
provocation  or  excuse — their  unreasoning  malignity  and  fierceness- 
all  mark  the  symptoms  of  the  disease  of  slavery,  that  is  a  deadly 
poison  to  soul  and  body.  There  may  be  exceptions,  of  course, 
but  as  a  rule  malignity  is  the  nature  and  the  essence.  Slavery  is 
itself  barbarous,  and  the  nation  which  upholds  and  protects  it  is 
likewise  barbarous.  It  is  fit  that  its  expiring  blow  should  be  made 
to  take  away  from  men  the  last  forbearance,  the  last  pity,  and  fire 
the  soul  with  invincible  determination  that  the  breeding-ground  of 
such  mischiefs  and  monsters  shall  be  utterly  and  forever  destroyed 
It  needed  not  that  the  assassin  should  put  on  paper  his  belief  in 
slavery.  He  was  but  the  sting  of  the  monster  Slavery  which  has 
struck  this  blow,  and  as  long  as  this  nation  lasts,  it  will  not  be  for 
gotten  that  we  have  had  our  "  Martyr  President,"  nor  while  heaven 
holds  high  court  or  hell  rots  beneath,  will  it  be  forgotten  that 
slavery  murdered  him. 

Third.  This  blow  was  aimed  at  the  life  of  government  and  of  the 
nation.  Lincoln  was  slain,  but  America  was  meant.  The  man  was 
cast  down,  but  the  government  was  smitten  at.  The  President  was 
killed,  but  national  life-breathing  freedom  and  benignity  was  sought. 
He  of  Illinois,  as  a  private  man,  might  have  been  detested,  but  it 
was  because  he  represented  the  cause  of  just  government,  liberty, 
and  kindness  he  was  slain.  It  was  a  crime  against  universal  gov 
ernment,  and  was  aimed  at  all.  Not  more  was  it  at  us  than  at 
England  or  France,  or  any  well-compacted  government.  It  was 
aimed  at  mankind.  The  whole  world  will  repudiate  it  and  stigma 
tize  it  as  a  deed  without  a  redeeming  feature.  It  was  not  the  deed 
of  the  oppressed  stung  to  madness  by  the  cruelty  of  the  oppressor  ; 
it  was  not  the  avenging  hand  against  the  heart  of  a  despot ;  it  was 
the  exponent  of  a  venomous  hatred  of  liberty,  and  the  avowed  ad 
vocacy  of  slavery. 

[Mr.  Beecher  illustrated  the  point  by  a  report  of  the  interview 
between  Governor  Pickens  and  Lieutenant  Talbot,  a  few  days  prior 
to  the  attack  on  Fort  Sumter,  wherein  Pickens  admitted  that  the 
South  really  had  no  cause  of  complaint ;  but  that  the  leaders,  hop- 


EFFECT  OF  HIS  DEATH  UPON  THE  COUNTRY.     107 

ing  to  deceive  the  people,  had  manufactured  the  necessary  indigna 
tion  at  Northern  insults,  and  were  determined  to  separate,  even 
though  confessedly  without  good  grounds.] 

Fourth.  But  the  blow  has  signally  failed.  The  cause  is  not 
stricken,  but  strengthened:  men  hate  slavery  the  more  and  love  lib 
erty  better.  The  nation  is  dissolved,  but  only  in  tears,  and  stands 
more  square  and  solid  to  day  than  any  pyramid  in  Egypt.  The 
government  is  not  weakened,  it  is  strengthened.  How  readily  and 
easily  the  ranks  closed  up  !  We  shall  be  more  true  to  every  in 
stinct  of  liberty,  to  the  Constitution,  and  to  the  principles  of  univer 
sal  freedom.  Where,  in  any  other  community,  the  crowned  head 
being  stricken  by  the  hand  of  an  assassin,  would  the  funds  have 
stood  so  firm  as  did  ours,  not  wavering  the  half  of  one  per  cent.  ? 
After  four  years  of  drastic  war,  of  heavy  drafts  upon  the  people,  on 
top  of  all,  the  very  head  of  the  nation  is  stricken  down,  and  the  funds 
never  quivered,  but  stand  as  firm  as  the  granite  ribs  in  the  moun 
tains.  Republican  institutions  have  been  vindicated  in  this  very 
experience.  God  has  said  by  the  voice  of  his  providence  that  re 
publican  liberty,  based  upon  universal  freedom,  shall  be  as  firm  as 
the  foundations  of  the  globe. 

Fifth.  Even  he  who  now  sleeps  has,  by  this  event,  been  clothed 
with  new  influence.  Dead,  he  speaks  to  men  who  now  willingly 
hear  what  before  they  shut  their  ears  to.  Like  the  words  of  Wash 
ington  will  his  simple,  mighty  words  be  pondered  on  by  your  child 
ren  and  children's  children.  Men  will  receive  a  new  accession  to 
their  love  of  patriotism,  and  will  for  his  sake  guard  with  more  zeal 
the  welfare  of  the  whole  country.  On  the  altar  of  this  martyred 
patriot  I  swear  you  to  be  more  faithful  to  your  country.  They  will, 
as  they  follow  his  hearse,  swear  a  new  hatred  to  that  slavery  which 
has  made  him  a  martyr.  By  this  solemn  spectacle  I  swear  you  to 
renewed  hostility  to  slavery,  and  to  a  never-ending  pursuit  of  it  to 
its  grave.  They  will  admire  and  imitate  his  firmness  in  justice,  his 
inflexible  conscience  for  the  right,  his  gentleness  and  moderation  of 
spirit,  and  I  swear  you  to  a  faithful  copy  of  his  justice,  his  mercy, 
and  his  gentleness.  You  I  can  comfort,  but  how  can  I  speak  to  the 
twilight  millions  who  revere  his  name  as  the  name  of  God  ?  Oh, 
there  will  be  wailing  for  him  in  hamlet  and  cottage,  in  woods  and 
wilds,  and  the  fields  of  the  South.  Her  dusky  children  looked  on 
him  as  on  a  Moses  come  to  lead  them  out  from  the  land  of  bondage. 
To  whom  can  we  direct  them  but  to  the  Shepherd  of  Israel,  and 
to  His  care  commit  them  for  help,  for  comfort,  and  protection  ?  And 
now  the  martyr  is  moving  in  triumphal  march,  mightier  than  when 
alive.  The  nation  rises  up  at  his  coming.  Cities  and  States  are 


108  LINCOLN  MEMORIAL. 

his  pall-bearers,  and  cannon  beat  the  hours  with  solemn  procession. 
Dead  !  dead  !  dead  !  he  yet  speaketh  1  Is  Washington  dead?  Is 
Hampdeu  dead  ?  Is  David  dead  ?  Now,  disenthralled  of  flesh,  and 
risen  to  the  unobstructed  sphere  where  passion  never  comes,  he  be 
gins  his  illimitable  work.  His  life  is  grafted  upon  the  Infinite,  and 
will  be  fruitful  now  as  no  earthly  life  can  be.  Pass  on,  thou  that  hast 
overcome  !  Your  sorrows,  0  people,  are  his  poean  !  Your  bells, 
and  bands,  and  muffled  drum  sound  in  his  ear  a  triumph.  You  wail 
and  weep  here.  God  makes  it  triumph  there.  Four  years  ago,  0 
Illinois,  we  took  him  from  your  midst,  an  untried  man  from  among 
the  people.  Behold,  we  return  him  a  mighty  conqueror.  Not  thine, 
but  the  nation's  ;  not  ours,  but  the  world's  !  Give  him  place,  ye 
prairies  !  In  the  midst  of  this  great  continent,  his  dust  shall  rest  a 
sacred  treasure  to  millions  who  shall  pilgrim  to  that  shrine,  to  kindle 
anew  their  zeal  and  patriotism.  Ye  winds  that  move  over  the 
mighty  spaces  of  the  West,  chant  his  requiem  !  Ye  people,  behold 
a  martyr,  whose  blood  as  articulate  words  pleads  for  fidelity,  for  law, 
for  liberty  ! 


IV 
FUNERAL  AT  WASHINGTON. 


THE  shadow  of  the  bravo 

Falls  dark  in  the  President's  hall ; 
Mourning  emblems  shiver  and  swing 

On  turret  and  doorsvay  and  wall. 
The  places  of  trade  are  deserted — 

The  nation  is  drowned  in  tears : 
No  blow  like  this  a  people  has  cursed 

In  a  thousand  rolling  years. 

No  marvel  that  the  feeling 

Is  terrible,  sad,  and  deep  1 
For  a  shudder  lies  in  this  dastard  crime, 

Like  Macbeth  "murdering  sleep;" 
And  no  wonder  that  the  nation 

Thrills  cold  through  its  nerves  and  veins, 
When  the  Borgia's  crime,  in  this  favored  day, 

In  Freedom's  Land  obtains. 

There  may  well  be  weeping  and  moaning 

For  the  nation's  future  weal, 
When  the  true  conservative,  caring  for  all, 

Grows  a  mark  for  bullet  and  steel ; 
And  we  well  may  pause  for  an  answer — 

Where  and  how  will  the  tragedy  end, 
And  what  must  the  fate  of  foemen  be 

When  death  is  the  doom  of  the  friend  ! 

But  for  him — no  sorrow  or  wiviiing! 

He  died  in  that  glorious  hour 
When  his  kindly  stars  had  triumphed  high 

And  the  evil  lost  their  power; 
The  best  of  his  work  accomplished, 

The  future  easy  and  plain, 
And  forgiveness  winning  the  wide  world's  heart, 

As  vigor  had  won  its  brain. 

No — for  him  no  tear-drop  or  murmur; 
For,  spite  of  the  murderer's  crime, 

He  died  as  the  best  might  pray  to  die, 
In  the  height  of  God's  good  time. 

And  when  the  dark  deed  we  punish, 
As  punish  we  can  and  will, 

'Twill  be  nothing  of  his  that  we  revenge- 
He  is  more  than  living  still ! 

God  shelter  and  keep  the  nation! 

God  give  it  enduring  peace ! 
And  soon  may  the  happy  moment  come 

When  its  long  dark  day  shall  cease! 
But  after  the  words  that  the  Father 

Spoke  from  Vernon's  sacred  sod, 
We  shall  hold  no  richer  legacy 

Than  the  path  the  President  trod. 

Henry  Morford. 


THE  FUNERAL  AT  WASHINGTON.  1 1 1 


TV. 

THE  FUNERAL  AT  WASHINGTON. 


WHEN  Mr.  Lincoln's  body  had  been  removed  to  the  Presi 
dent's  House,  the  embalmers  proceeded  to  prepare  it  for  the 
grave.  Mr.  Harry  P.  Cattell,  in  the  employ  of  Doctors  Brown 
and  Alexander,  who,  three  years  before,  had  prepared  so  beauti 
fully  the  body  of  little  "Willie  Lincoln,  now  made  as  perpetual 
as  art  could  effect  the  peculiar  features  of  the  late  beloved  Presi 
dent.  The  embalming  was  performed  in  the  President's  own 
room,  in  the  west  wing,  in  the  presence  of  President  Johnson, 
Generals  Augur  and  Rucker,  and  the  attending  physicians  of 
the  late  President.  The  body  was  drained  of  its  blood,  and  the 
parts  necessary  to  remove  to  prevent  decay  were  carefully  with 
drawn,  and  a  chemical  preparation  injected,  which  soon  hard 
ened  to  the  consistence  of  stone,  giving  the  body  the  firmness 
and  solid  immobility  of  a  statue. 

The  solemn  sadness  of  every  thing  around  the  Executive  Man 
sion,  during  the  morning  of  Wednesday,  was  one  of  the  char 
acteristics  of  the  day.  ~No  person  was  admitted  except  those  who 
had  charge  of  the  arrangements  for  the  funeral,  or  such  as  had 
some  labor  to  perform  in  completing  the  preparations,  and  the 
invited  guests.  It  was  in  reality  the  house  of  mourning,  and 
those  very  rooms  which  the  public  have  seen  on  State  occasions 
filled  with  life,  animation,  and  joy,  were  dressed  in  the  habili 
ments  of  woe.  Entering  the  front  door,  this  stillness  seemed 
almost  deathlike.  Every  person  moved  along  on  tiptoe,  as  if 
fearful  of  disturbing  the  long  and  deep  sleep  of  the  great  and 
good  man  whose  body  lay  within  those  walls. 

The  Green  Room,  in  which  the  body  had  been  placed,  was 
darkened,  and  a  shade  of  night  seemed  to  hang  over  it.  The 


112  LINCOLN  MEMORIAL. 

blinds  were  nearly  closed,  allowing  but  a  faint  streak  of  light 
to  enter  the  windows.  The  doors,  windows,  cornices,  and 
chandelier  were  richly  hung  with  the  weeds  of  grief  and  mourn 
ing,  through  which  could  be  faintly  seen  the  rich  damask  and 
lace  curtains  which  adorned  the  room  on  all  other  occasions. 
The  numerous  large  mirrors  were  also  heavily  draped,  with  a 
panel  of  white  crape  covering  the  face  of  the  glass.  In  fact, 
everywhere  w^ere  the  marks  of  sorrow,  which  spoke  of  the  be 
reavement  of  hearts,  of  household  ties  severed,  and  of  a  nation 
weeping  and  mourning  over  a  chief  that  has  fallen. 

Near  the  centre  of  the  room  stood  the  grand  catafalque,  upon 
which  rested  the  mortal  remains  of  the  illustrious  dead,  inclosed 
in  a  beautiful  mahogany  coffin  lined  with  lead,  and  with  a  white 
satin  covering  over  the  metal.  It  was  finished  in  the  most 
elaborate  style,  with  four  silver  handles  on  each  side,  stars  glis 
tening  between  the  handles,  and  a  vein  of  silver  winding  around 
the  whole  case  in  a  serpentine  form.  To  the  edges  of  the  lid 
hung  a  rich  silver  tassel,  making  a  chaste  and  elaborate  fringe 
to  the  whole  case.  The  silver  plate  bore  the  simple  inscription : 

ABRAHAM  LINCOLN, 

SIXTEENTH  PRESIDENT  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES, 

Born  February  12,  1809. 
Died  April  15,  1865. 

The  catafalque  stood  lengthwise  to  the  room,  or  north  and 
south,  and  immediately  in  front  of  the  double  doors  which  lead 
to  the  wide  hall.  The  floor  of  the  catafalque  was  about  four 
feet  in  height,  and  approached  by  one  step  on  all  sides,  making 
it  easy  to  view  the  face  of  the  honored  dead.  Above  this  was 
a  canopy,  in  an  arched  form,  lined  on  the  under  side  with  white 
fluted  satin,  covered  otherwise  with  black  velvet  and  crape.  This 
was  supported  by  four  posts,  heavily  encased  with  the  emblem 
of  mourning.  The  canopy,  the  posts,  and  the  main  body  of  the 
catafalque  were  festooned  with  crape  and  fastened  at  each  fold 
with  rosettes  of  black  satin. 

On  the  top  of  the  coffin  lay  three  wreaths  of  moss  and  ever 
green,  with  white  flowers  and  lilies  intermingled.  At  the  head 
of  the  coffin,  standing  upon  the  floor  of  the  catafalque,  and  lean 
ing  against  the  metallic  case,  stood  a  beautiful  cross,  made  of 
japonicas,  lilies,  and  other  white  flowers,  as  bright  and  blooming 


THE  FUNERAL  AT  WASHINGTON.  1 1  3 

as  though  they  were  still  on  their  parent  stem,  and  had  not 
been  plucked  to  adorn  the  house  of  the  dead,  its  pure  and  im 
maculate  white  furnishing  a  strong  contrast  with  the  deep  black 
on  all  sides.  On  the  foot  of  the  coffin  lay  an  anchor  of  flowers. 
Encircling  the  coffin,  in  a  serpentine  form,  was  a  vein  of  ever 
greens,  studded  with  pure  white  flowers,  and  within  its  mean 
dering  folds  were  deposited  several  wreaths  of  the  same  material. 
These  had  all  been  brought  by  some  friendly  hands,  the  tokens 
of  love  and  affection,  and  deposited  around  and  near  the  case 
that  contained  the  mortal  remains  of  the  man  who  had  been 
near  and  dear  to  them.  Here,  then,  were  the  emblems  of  the 
dead,  the  marks  of  rank,  the  tokens  of  grief,  deep  and  sorrowful, 
the  signs  of  love  and  affection,  and  the  living  emblems  of  purity 
and  happiness  hereafter,  as  well  as  hope  and  immortality  in  the 
future.  Surely  the  scene  in  honor  to  the  illustrious  dead  was  a 
worthy  exhibition  of  the  love,  esteem,  and  pride  of  a  free  people 
in  their  fallen  chief — fallen,  too,  in  the  midst  of  his  usefulness, 
and  just  when  his  greatness  and  goodness  were  being  recog 
nized  by  all. 

Steps  were  arranged  rising  to  the  back  wall,  to  enable  those 
behind  to  witness  the  ceremony  as  well  as  those  in  front. 

The  guard  of  honor  which  had  been  watching  over  the  body 
of  the  illustrious  dead  were  still  there : — General  Hunter,  Gen 
eral  Dyer,  of  the  Ordnance  Bureau ;  General  Thomas,  of  the 
Quartermaster's  Department,  assisted  by  Captain  C.  E.  Nesmith, 
of  New  York,  and  Captain  E.  Dawes,  of  Massachusetts.  There 
they  stood,  guarding  with  a  jealous  and  anxious  eye  the  earthly 
casket  of  their  late  Commander- in-chief.  Hunter,  compact  and 
dark  and  reticent,  walks  about  the  empty  chamber  in  full  uni 
form,  his  bright  buttons  and  sash  and  sword  contrasting  with 
his  dark  blue  uniform,  gauntlets  upon  his  hands,  crape  on  his 
arm  and  blade,  his  corded  hat  in  his  hands,  a  paper  collar  just 
apparent  above  his  velvet  tips ;  and  now  and  then  he  speaks  to 
Captain  Nesmith  or  Captain  Dawes,  of  General  Harding's  staff', 
rather  as  one  who  wishes  company  than  one  who  has  any  thing 
to  say.  His  two  silver  stars  upon  his  shoulder  shine  dimly  in 
the  draped  apartment.  He  was  one  of  the  first  in  the  war  to 
urge  the  measure  which  Mr.  Lincoln  afterwards  adopted.  The 
aids  walked  to  and  fro,  selected  without  reference  to  any  asso 
ciation  with  the  late  President.  Their  clothes  are  rich,  their 

8 


114:  LINCOLN  MEMORIAL. 

swords  wear  mourning ;  they  go  in  silence ;  every  tiling  is  iu 
nereal. 

"  Close  by  the  corpse  sit  the  relatives  of  the  deceased,  plain, 
honest,  hardy  people,  typical  as  much  of  the  simplicity  of  our 
institutions  as  of  Mr.  Lincoln's  self-made  eminence.  No  blood 
relatives  of  Mr.  Lincoln  were  to  be  found.  It  is  a  singular  evi 
dence  of  the  poverty  of  his  origin,  and  therefore  of  his  exceed 
ing  good  report,  that,  excepting  his  immediate  family,  none 
answering  to  his  name  could  be  discovered.  Mrs.  Lincoln's 
relatives  were  present,  however,  in  some  force.  Dr.  Lyman 
Beecher  Todd,  General  John  B.  S  Todd,  C.  M.  Smith,  Esq., 
and  Mr.  N.  W.  Edwards,  the  late  President's  brother-in-law. 
Plain,  self-made  people  were  here,  and  were  sincerely  affected. 
Captain  Robert  Lincoln  sat  during  the  services  with  his  face  in 
his  handkerchief,  weeping  quietly,  and  little  Tad,  his  face  red 
and  heated,  cried  as  if  his  heart  would  break.  Mrs.  Lincoln, 
weak,  worn,  and  nervous,  did  not  enter  the  East  Room  nor  fol 
low  the  remains.  She  was  the  Chief  Magistrate's  lady  yester 
day  ;  to-day,  a  widow  bearing  only  an  immortal  name." 

A  few  minutes  after  eleven  A.  M.,  a  large  number  of  clergy 
men,  representing  various  sections  of  the  country,  came  march 
ing  in  from  the  reception-room,  and  took  their  positions  near 
the  centre  of  the  south  end  of  the  room,  directly  in  range  with 
the  feet  of  the  corpse.  A  few  minutes  later,  the  delegates  from 
New  York  city,  headed  by  William  Orton,  marched  in,  and, 
passing  along  the  east  side  of  the  catafalque,  took  their  places 
on  the  north  side  of  the  room,  directly  opposite  the  clergy. 
They  had  but  just  stationed  themselves,  when  the  heads  of 
bureaus  in  the  several  departments  made  their  appearance,  and 
took  their  places  in  the  northeast  corner  of  the  room ;  among 
whom  were  Kennedy,  of  the  Census  Bureau ;  Newton,  of  the 
Agricultural  Bureau  ;  the  several  auditors  of  the  Treasury  De 
partment,  and  the  chiefs  of  most  of  the  bureaus  in  the  War  and 
Navy  Departments.  Next  in  order  came  the  city  authorities 
of  Washington,  with  several  members  of  the  New  York  and 
Philadelphia  common  councils  as  invited  guests.  They  took 
their  places  by  the  side  of  the  clergy,  and  filled  the  space  be 
tween  the  latter  and  the  west  side  of  the  room. 

The  representatives  of  the  Christian  and  Sanitary  Commis 
sions  here  were  the  next  to  enter  the  room,  and  passing  over 


THE  FUNERAL  AT  WASHINGTON.  115 

the  same  route  of  the  New  York  delegation,  took  their  station 
next  to  the  heads  of  bureaus,  on.  the  north  side  of  the  room, 
near  the  northeast  corner. 

Following  close  behind  these  came  the  Governors  of  States 
and  their  attendants.  There  were  but  few  Governors  of  States 
present.  Among  the  party  were  Governors  Fenton,  of  New 
York ;  Andrew,  of  Massachusetts ;  Parker,  of  New  Jersey ; 
Stone,  of  Iowa ;  Oglesby,  of  Illinois ;  Buckingham,  of  Con 
necticut  ;  Brough,  of  Ohio ;  and  Lieutenant-Governor  Cox,  of 
Maryland,  and  ex-Governor  Farwell,  of  Wisconsin.  They 
marched  around  the  east  side  of  the  body,  and  took  their 
places  on  the  east  side  of  the  room,  just  east  of  the  heads  of 
bureaus. 

The  Assistant  Secretaries  followed  immediately  and  took 
their  position  just  east  of  the  Governors  of  States.  Among 
these  were  Charles  A.  Dana,  of  the  War  Department,  Captain 
Fox,  of  the  Navy  Department,  M.  B.  Field,  of  the  Treasury, 
A.  W.  Randall,  Assistant .  Postmaster,  Judge  Otto,  of  the  In 
terior  Department,  andT.  J.  Coffin,  Assistant  Attorney  General. 

The  Assistant  Secretaries  had  but  just  taken  their  positions 
when  the  members  of  the  Senate  were  ushered  in  and  took 
their  position  on  the  east  side  of  the  room,  and  east  of  the 
space  set  apart  for  the  Cabinet.  In  this  party  were  Senators 
Dixon,  Ramsay,  Harris,  Chandler,  Cowan,  Sumner,  McDougal, 
Creswell,  Wilkinson,  Stewart,  Nye,  Collamer  and  Sprague. 
In  the  same  connection  were  the  members  of  the  last  House  of 
Representatives  who  were  in  town,  headed  by  the  Sergeant  at 
Arms  and  the  Clerk  of  the  House,  Mr.  McPherson. 

The  following  are  the  names  of  the  members  present : — 
Messrs.  Darling,  Radford,  Herrick,  A.  W.  Clarke,  Steele,  and 
T.  Clarke,  of  New  York ;  Schenck,  of  Ohio  ;  Davis.  Webster, 
and  Phelps,  of  Maryland  ;  O'Neill,  Myers,  Covode,  and  Calver, 
of  Pennsylvania  ;  Higby  and  Shannon,  of  California  ;  Hooper, 
Dawes,  and  Gooch,  of  Massachusetts  ;  Marston  and  Rollins,  of 
New  Hampshire;  Pike  and  Rice,  of  Maine ;  Latham,  Brad 
ford  and  Whaley,  of  West  Virginia ;  Farnsworth  and  Arnold, 
of  Illinois  ;  Donnelly  and  Winder  of  Minnesota ;  F.  W.  Kel 
logg  and  Tracy,  of  Michigan. 

Immediately  after  these  followed  four  members  of  the  Su 
preme  Court — Chief-Justice  Chase,  Associate  Justices  Swayne, 


116  LINCOLN  MEMORIAL. 

Wayne  and  Da  vies — escorted  by  Marshal  Lamon  and  the  Clerk 
of  the  Court.  They  stationed  themselves  on  the  right,  and  next 
west  of  the  space  left  for  the  Cabinet. 

Then  came  the  diplomatic  corps  and  the  members  of  their 
legations.  Every  foreign  minister  and  their  attaches  now  in  the 
country  were  in  the  procession.  The  position  assigned  to  them 
was  next  west  of  the  Supreme  Court  and  on  the  east  side  of 
the  room. 

The  Judges  of  the  local  courts,  and  such  other  judicial  offi 
cers  of  the  country  who  were  present  in  the  city  were  next  in 
turn  ushered  in,  and  were  assigned  a  position  on  the  north  end 
of  the  room,  near  the  members  of  the  Sanitary  Commission. 

Then  came  the  pall-bearers,  who  were  stationed  on  the  north 
side  of  the  room,  near  the  west  side.  Speaker  Colfax  and  Sen 
ator  Foster  took  their  position  in  front,  and  the  others  in  double 
file,  extending  to  the  rear  of  the  room.  The  representatives  of 
the  army  and  navy  among  the  pall-bearers  went  over  to  a  space 
set  apart  for  those  two  arms  of  the  public  service,  and  were 
soon  after  joined  by  several  officers  of  the  army  and  navy  of 
more  or  less  note.  Among  the  number  was  Commodore  Golds- 
borough,  General  Burnside,  and  others. 

The  following  ladies  of  the  families  of  the  Cabinet  and  Sen 
ators  then  were  ushered  in,  and  were  stationed  immediately  in 
the  rear  of  the  Cabinet  ministers :  Mrs.  Stanton,  Mrs;  Usher, 
Mrs.  and  Miss  Dennison,  Mrs.  Welles,  Mrs.  Sprague,  Miss 
Nettie  Chase. 

Next  in  order  were  forty  representatives  from  Illinois  and 
twenty  from  Kentucky,  who  had  been  given  in  the  programme 
the  position  of  chief  mourners.  They  were  assigned  a  position 
in  the  southeast  corner  of  the  room,  just  in  the  rear  of  the 
seats  set  apart  for  the  family  of  the  President. 

At  precisely  twelve  o'clock  President  Johnson  was  ushered 
in,  supported  by  Preston  King  on  one  side,  and  ex-Yice-Presi- 
dent  Hamlin  on  the  other,  followed  by  the  several  members  of 
the  Cabinet,  with  the  exception  of  Secretary  Seward. 

Immediately  in  front  of  the  Kentucky  and  Illinois  delega 
tions  was  the  family  of  the  deceased.  Mrs.  Lincoln,  however, 
was  not  able  to  be  present,  and  the  multitude  gathered  there 
were  not  permitted  to  see  the  weeping  widow  as  she  came  to 
pay  the  last  respects  to  the  body  of  her  honored  husband. 


THE  FUNERAL  AT  WASHINGTON.  117 

Captain  Robert  Lincoln  was  the  only  member  of  the  late  Presi 
dent's  immediate  family  who  was  present  during  the  ceremony. 
The  other  chief  mourners  were  N.  W.  Edwards  and  C.  M. 
Smith,  of  Illinois,  brothers-in-law  of  Mrs.  Lincoln.  General  J. 
B.  S.  Todd,  of  Dacotah,  and  Dr.  L.  B.  Todd,  of  Kentucky, 
cousins  of  Mrs.  Lincoln,  were  all  the  blood  relatives  of  the 
family  who  participated  in  the  solemn  rites.  They  were  seated 
on  the  southeast  corner  of  the  space  in  front  of  the  raised  plat 
forms,  Robert  resting  his  head  upon  his  hands,  and  seemed 
bowed  down  with  grief  at  the  great  loss  which  he  had  sustained 
in  the  tragic  death  of  his  father. 

A  moment  before  the  services  commenced  President  Johnson 
and  Preston  King  stepped  forward  and  took  the  last  long  gaze 
at  the  features  of  him  who  but  a  few  days  since  occupied  the 
chair  of  the  Chief  Magistrate  of  the  nation. 

Rev.  Dr.  Hall,  of  the  Episcopal  church  in  Washington,  opened 
the  services  by  reading  the  Episcopal  Service  of  the  Dead. 

Bishop  Simpson,  of  the  Methodist  Church,  then  pronounced 
this  prayer  : 

Almighty  God,  our  Heavenly  Father,  as  with  smitten  and  suffer 
ing  hearts  we  come  into  thy  presence,  we  pray,  in  the  name  of  our 
blessed  Redeemer,  that  Thou  wouldst  pour  upon  us  Thy  Holy  Spirit, 
that  all  our  thoughts  and  acts  may  be  acceptable  in  Thy  sight.  We 
adore  Thee  for  all  Thy  glorious  perfections.  We  praise  Thee  for 
the  revelation  which  Thou  hast  given  us  in  Thy  works  and  in  Thy 
Word.  By  Thee  all  worlds  exist.  All  beings  live  through  Thee. 
Thou  raisest  up  kingdoms  and  empires,  and  castest  them  down.  By 
Thee  kings  reign  and  princes  decree  righteousness.  In  Thy  hand 
are  the  issues  of  life  and  death.  We  confess  before  Thee  the  mag 
nitude  of  our  sins  and  transgressions,  both  as  individuals  arid  as  a 
nation.  We  implore  Thy  mercy  for  the  sake  of  our  Redeemer.  For 
give  us  all  our  iniquities.  If  it  please  Thee,  remove  Thy  chastening 
hand  from  us  ;  arid,  though  we  be  unworthy,  turn  away  from  us 
Thine  anger,  and  let  the  light  of  Thy  countenance  again  shine  upon  us. 

At  this  solemn  hour,  as  we  mourn  for  the  death  of  our  President, 
who  was  stricken  down  by  the  hand  of  an  assassin,  grant  us  also 
the  grace  to  bow  in  submission  to  Thy  holy  will.  May  we  recog 
nize  Thy  hand  high  above  all  human  agencies,  and  Thy  power  as 
controlling  all  events,  so  that  the  wrath  of  man  shall  praise  Thee, 
and  that  the  remainder  of  wrath  Thou  wilt  restrain.  Humbled  under 
the  suffering  we  have  endured  and  the  great  afflictions  through 


118  LINCOLN  MEMORIAL.  ( 

which  we  have  passed,  may  we  not  be  called  upon  to  offer  other 
.sacrifices.  May  the  lives  of  all  our  officers,  both  civil  and  military, 
be  guarded  by  Thee ;  and  let  no  violent  hand  fall  upon  any  of  them, 
Mourning  as  we  do  for  the  mighty  dead  by  whose  remains  we 
stand,  we  would  yet  lift  our  hearts  unto  Thee  in  grateful  acknowl 
edgment  for  Thy  kindness  in  giving  us  so  great  and  noble  a  com 
mander.  Thou  art  glorified  in  good  men,  and  we  praise  Thee  that 
Thou  didst  give  him  unto  us  so  pure,  so  honest,  so  sincere,  and  so 
transparent  in  character.  We  praise  Thee  for  that  kind,  affection, 
ate  heart,  which  always  swelled  with  feelings  of  enlarged  benev 
olence.  We  bless  Thee  for  what  Thou  didst  enable  him  to  do;  that 
Thou  didst  give  him  wisdom  to  select  for  his  advisers  and  for  his 
officers,  military  and  naval,  those  men  through  whom  our  country 
has  been  carried  through  an  unprecedented  conflict. 

We  bless  Thee  for  the  success  which  has  attended  all  their  ef 
forts,  and  victories  which  have  crowned  our  armies;  and  that  Thou 
didst  spare  Thy  servant  until  he  could  behold  the  dawning  of  that 
glorious  morning  of  peace  and  prosperity  which  is  about  to  shine 
upon  our  land ;  that  he  was  enabled  to  go  up  as  Thy  servant  of  old 
upon  Mount  Pisgah,  and  catch  a  glimpse  of  the  promised  land. 
Though  his  lips  are  silent  and  his  arm  is  powerless,  we  thank  Thee 
that  Thou  didst  strengthen  him  to  speak  words  that  cheer  the 
hearts  of  the  suffering  and  the  oppressed,  and  to  write  that  decla 
ration  of  emancipation  which  has  given  him  an  immortal  reward; 
that  though  the  hand  of  the  assassin  has  struck  him  to  the  ground, 
it  could  not  destroy  the  work  which  he  has  done,  nor  forge  again 
the  chains  which  he  has  broken.  And  while  we  mourn  that  he  has 
passed  away,  we  are  grateful  that  his  work  was  so  fully  accom 
plished,  and  that  the  acts  which  he  has  performed  will  forever  re 
main. 

We  implore  Thy  blessing  upon  his  bereaved  family,  Thou  hus 
band  of  the  widow.  Bless  her  who,  broken-hearted  and  sorrowing, 
feels  oppressed  with  unutterable  anguish.  Cheer  the  loneliness  of 
the  pathway  which  lies  before  her,  and  grant  to  her  such  consola 
tions  of  Thy  Spirit,  and  such  hopes,  through  the  resurrection,  that 
she  shall  fcel  that  "  Earth  hath  no  sorrows  which  Heaven  cannot 
heal." 

Let  Thy  blessing  rest  upon  his  sons ;  pour  upon  them  the  spirit 
of  wisdom,  be  Thou  the  guide  of  their  youth,  prepare  them  for  use 
fulness  in  society,  for  happiness  in  all  their  relations.  May  the  re 
membrance  of  their  father's  counsels,  and  their  father's  noble  acts, 
ever  stimulate  them  to  glorious  deeds,  and  at  last  may  they  be  heirs 
of  everlasting  life. 


THE  FUNERAL  AT  WASHINGTON.  119 

Command  thy  rich  blessings  to  descend  upon  the  successor  of  our 
lamented  President.  Grant  unto  him  wisdom,  energy,  and  firmness 
for  the  responsible  duties  to  which  he  has  been  called;  and  may  he, 
his  cabinet,  officers,  and  generals  who  shall  lead  his  armies,  and  the 
brave  soldiers  in  the  field,  be  so  guided  by  Thy  counsels  that  they 
shall  speedily  complete  the  great  work  which  he  had  so  successfully 
carried  forward. 

Let  Thy  blessing  rest  upon  our  country.  Grant  unto  us  all  a 
fixed  and  strong  determination  never  to  cease  our  efforts  until  our 
glorious  Union  shall  be  fully  re-established. 

Around  the  remains  of  our  loved  President  may  we  covenant  to 
gether  by  every  possible  means  to  give  ourselves  to  our  country's 
service  until  every  vestige  of  this  rebellion  shall  have  been  wiped 
out,  and  until  slavery,  its  cause,  shall  be  forever  eradicated. 

Preserve  us,  we  pray  Thee,  from  all  complications  with  foreign 
nations.  Give  us  hearts  to  act  justly  towards  all  nations,  and  grant 
unto  them  hearts  to  act  justly  towards  us,  that  universal  peace  and 
happiness  may  fill  our  earth.  We  rejoice,  then,  in  this  inflicting 
dispensation  Thou  hast  given,  as  additional  evidence  of  the  strength 
of  our  nation.  We  bless  Thee  that  no  tumult  has  arisen,  and  in 
peace  and  harmony  our  Government  moves  onward;  and  that  Thou 
hast  shown  that  our  Republican  Government  is  the  strongest  upon 
the  face  of  the  earth.  In  this  solemn  presence,  may  we  feel  that 
we  too  are  immortal !  May  the  sense  of  our  responsibility  to  God 
rest  upon  us ;  may  we  repent  of  every  sin ;  and  may  we  consecrate 
anew  unto  Thee  all  the  time  and  all  the  talents  which  Thou  hast 
given  us  ;  and  may  we  so  fulfil  our  allotted  duties  that  finally 
we  may  have  a  resting-place  with  the  good,  and  wise,  and  the 
great,  who  now  surround  that  glorious  throne!  Hear  us  while  we 
unite  in  praying  with  Thy  Church  in  all  lands  and  in  all  ages,  even 
as  Thou  hast  taught  us,  saying — Our  Father,  &c. 

The  funeral  oration  was  delivered  by  Ilev.  P.  D.  Gurley, 
D.  D.,  pastor  of  the  New  York  Avenue  Presbyterian  Church, 
which  Mr.  Lincoln  and  his  family  were  in  the  habit  of  attend- 


120  LINCOLN  MEMORIAL. 


FAITH    IN    GOD: 

A  SERMON  ON  THE  DEATH  OF  THE  PRESIDENT, 

Preached  in  the  East  Room  of  the  Executive  Mansion,  April  19th,  1865,  by  the  Rev. 
P.  D.  GUKLKY,  D.1X,  Pastor  of  the  New  York  Avenue  Presbyterian  Church,  Wash 
ington,  D.  0. 

MARK  xi.  22.—"  Have  faith  in  God." 

As  we  stand  here  to-day,  mourners  around  this  coffin  and  around 
the  lifeless  remains  of  our  beloved  Chief  Magistrate,  we  recognize 
and  we  adore  the  sovereignty  of  God.  His  throne  is  in  the  heav 
ens,  and  His  kingdom  ruleth  over  all.  He  hath  done,  and  He  hath 
permitted  to  be  done,  whatsoever  he  pleased.  "  Clouds  and  dark 
ness  are  round  about  him  ;  righteousness  and  judgment  are  the  hab 
itation  of  His  throne."  "  His  way  is  in  the  sea,  and  his  path  in  the 
great  waters,  and  His  footsteps  are  not  known."  "  Canst  thou  by 
searching  find  out  God?  Canst  thou  find  out  the  Almighty  unto 
perfection  ?  It  is  as  high  as  heaven:  what  canst  thou  do  ?  deeper 
than  hell :  what  canst  thou  know  ?  The  measure  thereof  is  longer 
than  the  earth,  and  broader  than  the  sea.  If  he  cut  off,  and  shut 
up,  or  gather  together,  then  who  can  hinder  Him  ?  For  He 
knoweth  vain  men  ;  He  seeth  wickedness  also  ;  will  He  not  then 
consider  it  ?"  We  bow  before  his  infinite  majesty.  We  bow,  we 
weep,  we  worship — 

"  Where  reason  fails,  with  all  her  powers, 
There  faith  prevails,  and  love  adores." 

It  was  a  cruel,  cruel  hand,  that  dark  hand  of  the  assassin,  which 
smote  our  honored,  wise,  and  noble  President,  and  filled  the  land 
with  sorrow.  But  above  and  beyond  that  hand,  there  is  another 
which  we  must  see  and  acknowledge.  It  is  the  chastening  hand  of 
a  wise  and  a  faithful  Father.  He  gives  us  this  bitter  cup.  And 
the  cup  that  our  Father  hath  given  us,  shall  we  not  drink  it  ? 

"  God  of  the  just,  thou  gavest  us  the  cup  : 
We  yield  to  thy  behest,  and  drink  it  up." 

"  Whom  the  Lord  loveth  he  chasteneth."  Oh,  how  these  blessed 
words  have  cheered,  and  strengthened,  and  sustained  us  through 
all  these  long  and  weary  years  of  civil  strife,  while  our  friends  and 
brothers  on  so  many  ensanguined  fields  were  falling  and  dying  for 
the  cause  of  Liberty  and  Union!  Let  them  cheer,  and  strengthen, 
and  sustain  us  to-day.  True,-  this  new  sorrow  and  chastening  has 
come  in  such  an  hour  and  in  such  a  way  as  we  thought  not,  and  it 
bears  the  impress  of  a  rod  that  is  very  heavy,  and  of  a  mystery 
that  is  very  deep.  That  such  a  life  should  be  sacrificed,  at  such  a 


THE  FUNERAL  AT  WASHINGTON.  121 

time,  by  such  a  foul  and  diabolical  agency;  that  the  man  at  the 
head  of  the  nation,  whom  the  people  had  learned  to  trust  with  a 
confiding  and  a  loving  confidence,  and  upon  whom,  more  than 
upon  any  other,  were  centred,  under  God,  our  best  hopes  for 
the  true  and  speedy  pacification  of  the  country,  the  restoration  of 
the  Union,  and  the  return  of  harmony  and  love  ;  that  he  should  be 
taken  from  us,  and  taken  just  as  the  prospect  of  peace  was  brightly 
opening  upon  our  torn  and  bleeding  country,  and  just  as  he  was  be 
ginning  to  be  animated  arid  gladdened  with  the  hope  of  ere  long 
enjoying  with  the  people  the  blessed  fruit  and  reward  of  his  and 
their  toil,  and  care,  and  patience,  and  self-sacrificing  devotion  to 
the  interests  of  Liberty  and  the  Union; — oh,  it  is  a  mysterious  and 
a  most  afflicting  visitation  !  But  it  is  our  Father  in  heaven,  the 
God  of  our  fathers  and  our  God,  who  permits  us  to  be  so  suddenly 
arid  sorely  smitten;  and  we  know  that  His  judgments  are  right,  and 
that  in  faithfulness  He  has  afflicted  us.  In  the  midst  of  our  re 
joicings  we  needed  this  stroke,  this  dealing,  this  discipline, 
and  therefore  he  has  sent  it.  Let  us  remember,  our  affliction 
has  not  come  forth  of  the  dust,  and  our  trouble  has  not  sprung 
out  of  the  ground.  Through  and  beyond  all  second  causes, 
let  us  look,  arid  see  the  sovereign  permissive  agency  of  the  great 
First  Cause.  It  is  His  prerogative  to  bring  light  out  of  dark 
ness,  and  good  out  of  evil.  Surely  the  wrath  of  man  shall  praise 
Him,  and  the  remainder  of  wrath  He  will  restrain.  In  the  light  of 
a  clearer  day  we  may  yet  see  that  the  wrath  which  planned  and 
perpetrated  the  death  of  the  President,  was  overruled,  by  Him  whose 
judgments  are  unsearchable  and  His  ways  past  finding  out,  for  the 
highest  welfare  of  all  those  interests  which  are  so  dear  to  the 
Christian  patriot  and  philanthropist,  and  for  which  a  loyal  people 
have  made  such  an  unexampled  sacrifice  of  treasure  and  of  blood. 
Let  us  not  be  faithless,  but  believing. 

"  Blind  unbelief  is  prone  to  err, 
And  scan  His  work  in  vain  ; 
God  is  His  own  interpreter, 

And  He  will  make  them  plain." 

We  will  wait  for  His  interpretation,  and  we  will  wait  in  faith, 
nothing  doubting.  He  who  has  led  us  so  well,  arid  defended  and 
prospered  us  so  wonderfully  during  the  last  four  years  of  toil,  and 
struggle,  and  sorrow,  will  not  forsake  us  now.  He  may  chasten,  but 
He  will  not  destroy.  He  may  purify  us  more  and  more  in  the  fur 
nace  of  trial,  but  He  will  not  consume  us.  No,  no.  He  has  chosen 
us  as  He  did  His  people  of  old  in  the  furnace  of  affliction,  and  He 
bus  said  of  us  as  He  said  of  them,  "  This  people  have  I  formed  for 


122  LINCOLN  MEMORIAL. 

myself  ;  they  shall  show  forth  My  praise."  Let  our  principal  anx 
iety  now  be  that  this  new  sorrow  may  be  a  sanctified  sorrow  ;  that 
it  may  lead  us  to  deeper  repentance,  to  a  more  humbling  sense  of 
our  dependence  upon  God,  and  to  the  more  unreserved  consecration 
of  ourselves  and  all  that  we  have  to  the  cause  of  truth  and  justice, 
of  law  and  order,  of  liberty  and  good  government,  of  pure  and  un- 
defilcd  religion.  Then,  though  weeping  may  endure  for  a  night,  joy 
will  come  in  the  morning. 

Blessed  be  God!  despite  of  this  great,  and  sudden,  and  tempo 
rary  darkness,  the  morning  has  begun  to  dawn — the  morning  of  a 
bright  and  glorious  day,  such  as  our  country  has  never  seen.  That 
day  will  come  and  riot  tarry,  and  the  death  of  a  hundred  Presidents 
and  their  Cabinets  can  never,  never  prevent  it.  While  we  are  thus 
hopeful,  however,  let  us  also  be  humble.  The  occasion  calls  us  to 
prayerful  and  tearful  humiliation.  It  demands  of  us  that  we  lie 
low,  very  low,  before  Him  who  has  smitten  us  for  our  sins.  Oh 
that  all  our  rulers  and  all  our  people  may  bow  in  the  dust  to-day, 
beneath  the  chastening  hand  of  God!  and  may  their  voices  go  up 
to  Him  as  one  voice,  and  their  hearts  go  up  to  Him  as  one  heart, 
pleading  with  Him  for  mercy,  for  grace  to  sanctify  our  great  and 
sore  bereavement;  and  for  wisdom  to  guide  us  in  this  our  time  of 
need.  Such  a  united  cry  and  pleading  will  not  be  in  vain.  It  will 
enter  into  the  ear  and  heart  of  Him  who  sits  upon  the  throne,  and 
He  will  say  to  us,  as  to  His  ancient  Israelr  "  In  a  little  wrath  I  hid 
My  face  from  thee  for  a  moment;  but  with  everlasting  kindness  will 
I  have  mercy  upon  thee,  saith  the  Lord,  thy  Redeemer." 

I  have  said  that  the  people  confided  in  the  late  lamented  Presi 
dent  with  a  full  and  a  loving  confidence.  Probably  no  man,  since 
the  days  of  Washington,  was  ever  so  deeply  and  firmly  imbedded 
and  inshrined  in  the  very  hearts  of  the  people  as  Abraham  Lincoln. 
Nor  was  it  a  mistaken  confidence  and  love.  He  deserved  it,  de 
served  it  well,  deserved  it  all.  He  merited  it  by  his  character,  by 
his  acts,  and  by  the  whole  tenor,  and  tone,  and  spirit  of  his  life. 
He  was  simple  and  sincere,  plain  and  honest,  truthful  and  just, 
benevolent  and  kind.  His  perceptions  were  quick  and  clear,  his 
judgments  were  calm  and  accurate,  and  his  purposes  were  good 
and  pure  beyond  a  question.  Always  and  everywhere  he  aimed 
and  endeavored  to  be  right  and  to  do  right.  His  integrity  was 
thorough,  all-pervading,  all-controlling,  and  incorruptible.  It  was 
the  same  in  every  place  and  relation,  in  the  consideration  and  the 
control  of  matters  great  or  small, — the  same  firm  and  steady  prin 
ciple  of  power  and  beauty,  that  shed  a  clear  and  crowning  lustre 
upon  all  his  other  excellencies  of  mind  and  heart,  and  recommended 


THE  FUNERAL  AT  WASHINGTON.  123 

him  to  his  fellow-citizens  as  the  man,  who,  in  a  time  of  unexampled 
peril,  when  the  very  life  of  the  nation  was  at  stake,  should  be 
chosen  to  occupy,  in  the  country  and  for  the  country,  its  highest 
post  of  power  and  responsibility.  How  wisely  arid  well,  how 
purely  and  faithfully,  how  firmly  and  steadily,  how  justly  and  suc 
cessfully  he  did  occupy  that  post  and  meet  its  grave  demands,  in 
circumstances  of  surpassing  trial  and  difficulty,  is  known  to  you 
all,  known  to  the  country  and  the  world.  He  comprehended  from 
the  first  the  perils  to  which  treason  had  exposed  the  freest  and  best 
government  on  the  earth — the  vast  interests  of  liberty  and  human 
ity  that  were  to  be  saved  or  lost  forever  in  the  urgent  impending 
conflict;  he  rose  to  the  dignity  and  mornentousness  of  the  occasion, 
saw  his  duty  as  the  Chief  Magistrate  of  a  great  and  imperilled 
people ;  and  he  determined  to  do  his  duty,  and  his  whole  duty,  seek 
ing  the  guidance  and  leaning  upon  the  arm  of  Him  of  whom  it  is 
written,  "He  giveth  power  to  the  faint;  and  to  them  that  have  no 
might  He  increaseth  strength."  Yes;  he  leaned  upon  His  arm.  He 
recognized  and  received  the  truth,  that  "  the  kingdom  is  the  Lord's; 
and  He  is  the  governor  among  the  nations."  He  remembered  that 
"  God  is  in  history,"  and  he  felt  that  nowhere  had  His  hand  and  His 
mercy  been  so  marvellously  conspicuous  as  in  the  history  of  this 
nation.  He  hoped  and  he  prayed  that  that  same  hand  would  con 
tinue  to  guide  us,  and  that  same  mercy  continue  to  abound  to  us  in 
the  time  of  our  greatest  need.  I  speak  what  I  know,  and  testify 
what  I  have  often  heard  him  say,  when  I  affirm,  that  that  guidance 
and  mercy  were  the  prop  on  which  he  humbly  and  habitually  leaned; 
they  were  the  best  hope  he  had  for  himself  and  for  his  country. 
Hence,  when  he  was  leaving  his  home  in  Illinois  and  coming  to  this 
city  to  take  his  seat  in  the  executive  chair  of  a  disturbed  and 
troubled  nation,  he  said  to  the  old  and  tried  friends  who  gathered 
tearfully  around  him  and  bade  him  farewell,  "  I  leave  you  with  this 
request — pray  for  me."  They  did  pray  for  him ;  and  millions  of 
others  prayed  for  him ;  nor  did  they  pray  in  vain.  Their  prayer 
was  heard,  and  the  answer  appears  in  all  his  subsequent  history; 
it  shines  forth,  with  a  heavenly  radiance,  in  the  whole  course  and 
tenor  of  his  administration  from  its  commencement  to  its  close. 
God  raised  him  up  for  a  great  and  glorious  mission,  furnished  him 
for  his  work,  and  aided  him  in  its  accomplishment.  Nor  was  it 
merely  by  strength  of  mind,  and  honesty  of  heart,  and  purity  and 
pertinacity  of  purpose,  that  He  furnished  him  ;  in  addition  to  these 
things,  He  gave  him  a  calm  and  abiding  confidence  in  the  overruling 
providence  of  God,  and  in  the  ultimate  triumph  of  truth  and  right 
eousness  through  the  power  and  the  blessing  of  God.  This  confi- 


124:  LINCOLN  MEMORIAL. 

deuce  strengthened  him  in  all  his  hours  of  anxiety  and  toil,  and  in 
spired  him  with  calm  and  cheering  hope  when  others  were  inclining 
to  despondency  and  gloom.  Never  shall  I  forget  the  emphasis  and 
the  deep  emotion  with  which  he  said,  in  this  very  room,  to  a  com 
pany  of  clergymen  and  others  who  called  to  pay  him  their  respects 
in  the  darkest  days  of  our  civil  conflict,  "  Gentlemen,  iny  hope  of 
success  in  this  great  and  terrible  struggle  rests  on  that  immutable 
foundation,  the  justice  and  goodness  of  God.  And  when  events  are 
very  threatening  and  prospects  very  dark,  I  still  hope  that,  in  some 
way  which  man  cannot  see,  all  will  be  well  in  the  end,  because  our 
cause  is  just  and  God  is  on  our  side." 

Such  was  his  sublime  and  holy  faith,  and  it  was  an  anchor  to  his 
soul  both  sure  and  steadfast.  It  made  him  firm  and  strong.  It 
emboldened  him  in  the  pathway  of  duty,  however  rugged  and  peril 
ous  it  might  be.  It  made  him  valiant  for  the  right — for  the  cause 
of  God  and  humanity;  and  it  held  him  in  steady,  patient,  and  un 
swerving  adherence  to  a  policy  of  administration  which  he  thought, 
and  which  we  all  now  think,  both  God  and  humanity  required  him 
to  adopt.  We  admired  and  loved  him  on  many  accounts — for  strong 
and  various  reasons:  we  admired  his  childlike  simplicity;  his  freedom 
from  guile  and  deceit;  his  staunch  and  sterling  integrity;  his  kind 
and  forgiving  temper;  his  industry  and  patience;  his  persistent  self- 
sacrificing  devotion  to  all  the  duties  of  his  eminent  position,  from 
the  least  to  the  greatest;  his  readiness  to  hear  and  consider  the 
cause  of  the  poor  and  humble,  the  suffering  and  the  oppressed;  his 
charity  towards  those  who  questioned  the  correctness  of  his  opin 
ions  and  the  wisdom  of  his  policy;  his  wonderful  skill  in  reconciling 
differences  among  the  friends  of  the  Union,  leading  them  away  from 
abstractions,  and  inducing  them  to  work  together  and  harmoniously 
for  the  common  weal ;  his  true  and  enlarged  philanthropy,  that  knew 
no  distinction  of  color  or  race,  but  regarded  all  men  as  brethren 
and  endowed  alike  by  their  Creator  with  certain  inalienable  rights, 
among  which  are  "  life,  liberty,  and  the  pursuit  of  happiness;"  his 
inflexible  purpose  that  what  freedom  had  gained  in  our  terrible 
civil  strife  should  never  be  lost,  and  that  the  end  of  the  war  should 
be  the  end  of  slavery,  and,  as  a  consequence,  of  rebellion;  his  readi 
ness  to  spend  and  be  spent  for  the  attainment  of  such  a  triumph,  a 
triumph  the  blessed  fruits  of  which  should  be  as  wide-spreading  as 
the  earth  and  as  enduring  as  the  sun; — all  these  things  commanded 
and  fixed  our  admiration  and  the  admiration  of  the  world,  and 
stamped  upon  his  character  and  life  the  unmistakable  impress  of 
greatness.  But  more  sublime  than  any  or  all  of  these,  more  holy  and 
influential,  more  beautiful,  and  strong,  and  sustaining,  was  his  abid- 


THE  FUNERAL  AT  WASHINGTON.  125 

ing  confidence  in  God,  and  in  the  final  triumph  of  truth  and  right 
eousness  through  Him  and  for  His  sake.  This  was  his  noblest  vir 
tue,  his  grandest  principle,  the  secret  alike  of  his  strength,  his  pa 
tience,  and  his  success.  And  this,  it  sceins  to  me,  after  being  near 
him  steadily  and  with  him  often  for  more  than  four  years,  is  the 
principle  by  which,  more  than  by  any  other,  "  he,  being  dead,  yet 
speaketh."  Yes;  by  his  steady  enduring  confidence  in  God,  and  in 
the  complete  ultimate  success  of  the  cause  of  God,  which  is  the 
cause  of  humanity,  more  than  in  any  other  way,  does  he  now  speak 
to  us  and  to  the  nation  he  loved  and  served  so  well.  By  this  he 
speaks  to  his  successor  in  office,  and  charges  him  to  have  faith  in 
God.  By  this  he  speaks  to  the  members  of  his  Cabinet,  the  men 
with  whom  he  counselled  so  often  and  was  associated  so  long,  and 
he  charges  them  to  have  faith  in  God.  By  this  he  speaks  to  all 
who  occupy  positions  of  influence  and  authority  in  these  sad  and 
troublous  times,  and  he  charges  them  all  to  have  faith  in  God.  By 
this  he  speaks  to  this  great  people  as  they  sit  in  sackcloth  to-day, 
and  weep  for  him  with  a  bitter  wailing,  and  refuse  to  be  comforted, 
and  he  charges  them  to  have  faith  in  God.  And  by  this  he  will 
speak  through  the  ages  and  to  all  rulers  and  peoples  in  every  land, 
and  his  message  to  them  will  be,  "Cling  to  liberty  and  right;  battle 
for  them;  bleed  for  them;  die  for  them,  if  need  be;  and  have  confi 
dence  in  God.'  Oh  that  the  voice  of  this  testimony  may  sink  down 
into  our  hearts  to-day  and  every  day,  and  into  the  heart  of  the  na 
tion,  and  exert  its  appropriate  influence  upon  our  feelings,  our  faith, 
our  patience,  and  our  devotion  to  the  cause  now  dearer  to  us  than  ever 
before,  because  consecrated  by  the  blood  of  its  most  conspicuous 
defender,  its  wisest  and  most  fondly-trusted  friend  ! 

He  is  dead  ;  but  the  God  in  whom  he  trusted  lives,  and  He  can 
guide  and  strengthen  his  successor  as  He  guided  and  strengthened 
him.  He  is  dead  ;  but  the  memory  of  his  virtues,  of  his  wise  and 
patriotic  counsels  and  labors,  of  his  calm  and  steady  faith  in  God, 
lives,  is  precious,  and  will  be  a  power  for  good  in  the  country  quite 
down  to  the  end  of  time.  He  is  dead  ;  but  the  cause  he  so  ardently 
loved,  so  ably,  patiently,  faithfully  represented  and  defended,  not 
for  himself  only,  not  for  us  only,  but  for  all  people  in  all  their  com 
ing  generations  till  time  shall  be  no  more — that  cause  survives  his 
fall,  and  will  survive  it.  The  light  of  its  brightening  prospects 
flashes  cheeringly  to-day  athwart  the  gloom  occasioned  by  his  death, 
and  the  language  of  God's  united  providences  is  telling  us,  that 
though  the  friends  of  liberty  die,  liberty  itself  is  immortal.  There 
is  no  assassin  strong  enough  and  no  weapon  deadly  enough  to 
quench  its  inextinguishable  life,  or  arrest  its  onward  march  to  the 


126  LINCOLN  MEMORIAL. 

conquest  and  empire  of  the  world.  This  is  our  confidence  and  this 
is  our  consolation  as  we  weep  and  mourn  to  day.  Though  our  be 
loved  President  is  slain,  our  beloved  country  is  saved.  And  so  we 
sing  of  mercy  as  well  as  of  judgment.  Tears  of  gratitude  mingle 
with  those  of  sorrow.  While  there  is  darkness,  there  is  also  the 
dawning  of  a  brighter,  happier  day  upon  our  stricken  and  weary 
land.  God  be  praised,  that  our  fallen  Chief  lived  long  enough  to 
see  the  day  dawn,  and  the  day-star  of  joy  and  peace  rise  upon  the 
nation.  He  saw  it,  and  he  was  glad.  Alas  !  alas  !  he  only  saw 
the  dawn.  When  the  sun  has  risen  full-orbed  and  glorious,  and  a 
happy  re-united  people  are  rejoicing  in  its  light,  it  will  shine  upon 
his  grave.  But  that  grave  will  be  a  precious  and  a  consecrated 
spot.  The  friends  of  Liberty  and  of  the  Union  will  repair  to  it  in 
years  and  ages  to  come,  to  pronounce  the  memory  of  its  occupant 
blessed,  and  gathering  from  his  very  ashes  and  from  the  rehearsal  of 
his  deeds  and  virtues  fresh  incentives  to  patriotism,  they  will  there 
renew  their  vows  of  fidelity  to  their  country  and  their  God. 

And  now  I  know  not  that  I  can  more  appropriately  conclude  this 
discourse,  which  is  but  a  sincere  and  simple  utterance  of  the  heart, 
than  by  addressing  to  our  departed  President,  with  some  slight 
modification,  the  language  which  Tacitus,  in  his  Life  of  Agricola. 
addresses  to  his  venerable  and  departed  father-in-law: — "With  you 
we  may  now  congratulate  :  you  are  blessed,  not  only  because  your 
life  was  a  career  of  glory,  but  because  you  were  released  when,  your 
country  safe,  it  was  happiness  to  die.  We  have  lost  a  parent,  and,  in 
our  distress,  it  is  now  an  addition  to  our  heartfelt  sorrow  that  we  had 
it  not  in  our  power  to  commune  with  you  on  the  bed  of  languishing, 
and  receive  your  last  embrace.  Your  dying  words  would  have  been 
ever  dear  to  us:  your  commands  we  should  have  treasured  up,  and 
graved  them  on  our  hearts.  This  sad  comfort  we  have  lost,  and  the 
wound,  for  that  reason,  pierces  deeper.  From  the  world  of  spirits 
behold  your  disconsolate  family  and  people:  exalt  our  minds  from 
fond  regret  and  unavailing  grief  to  the  contemplation  of  your  vir 
tues.  Those  we  must  not  lament ;  it  were  impiety  to  sully  them 
with  a  tear.  To  cherish  their  memory,  to  embalm  them  with  our 
praises,  and,  so  far  as  we  can,  to  emulate  your  bright  example,  will 
be  the  truest  mark  of  our  respect,  the  best  tribute  we  cai,  offer. 
Your  wife  will  thus  preserve  the  memory  of  the  best  of  husbands, 
and  thus  your  children  will  prove  their  filial  piety.  By  dwelling 
constantly  on  your  words  and  actions,  they  will  have  an  illustrious 
character  before  their  eyes,  and,  not  content  with  one  bare  image 
of  your  mortal  frame,  they  will  have,  what  is  more  valuable,  the 
form  and  features  of  your  mind.  Busts  and  statues,  like  their  origi- 


THE  FUNERAL  AT  WASHINGTON.  127 

rials,  arc  frail  and  perishable.  The  soul  is  formed  of  finer  elements, 
and  its  inward  form  is  riot  to  be  expressed  by  the  hand  of  an  artist 
with  unconscious  matter  :  our  manners  and  our  morals  may  in  some 
degree  trace  the  resemblance.  All  of  you  that  gained  our  love,  and 
raised  our  admiration,  still  subsists,  and  will  ever  subsist,  preserved 
in  the  minds  of  men,  the  register  of  ages  and  the  records  of  fame. 
Others,  who  figured  on  the  stage  of  life,  and  were  the  worthies  of  a 
former  day,  will  sink,  for  want  of  a  faithful  historian,  into  the  com 
mon  lot  of  oblivion,  inglorious  and  unremembered  ;  but  you,  our 
lamented  friend  and  head,  delineated  with  truth,  and  fairly  consigned 
to  posterity,  will  survive  yourself,  and  triumph  over  the  injuries  of 
time." 

At  the  conclusion  of  the  sermon,  after  a  brief  silence,  Dr. 
Gray,  chaplain  of  the  United  States  Senate,  offered  the  follow 
ing  prayer. 

0  Lord  God  of  Hosts,  behold  a  nation  prostrate  before  Thy 
throne,  clothed  in  sackcloth,  who  stand  around  all  that  now  remains 
of  our  illustrious  and  beloved  chief.  We  thank  Thee  that  Thou 
hast  given  to  us  such  a  patriot,  and  the  country  such  valor,  and  to 
the  world  such  a  noble  specimen  of  manhood.  We  bless  Thee  that 
Thou  hast  raised  him  to  the  highest  position  of  trust  and  power  in 
the  nation,  and  that  Thou  hast  spared  him  so  long  to  guide  and  di 
rect  the  affairs  of  government  in  its  hour  of  peril  and  conflict.  We 
trusted  it  would  be  he  who  should  deliver  Israel,  that  he  would 
have  been  retained  to  us  while  the  nation  was  passing  through  its 
baptism  of  blood;  but  in  an  evil  hour,  in  an  unexpected  moment, 
when  joy  and  rejoicing  filled  our  souls  arid  was  thrilling  the  hearts 
of  the  nation,  he  fell.  0  God,  give  grace  to  sustain  us  under  this 
dark  and  mysterious  providence;  help  us  to  look  up  unto  Thee  and 
say,  Not  our  will,  but  Thine,  0  God,  be  done.  We  commend  to 
Thy  merciful  regard  and  tender  compassion  the  afflicted  family  of 
the  deceased.  Thou  seest  how  their  hearts  are  stricken  with  sor 
row  and  wrung  with  agony.  Oh  help  them  as  they  are  now  passing 
through  a  dark  valley  and  shadow  of  death,  to  fear  no  evil,  but  to 
lean  upon  Thy  staff  for  support.  Oh  help  them  to  cast  their  burden 
upon  the  great  Burden-bearer  and  find  relief.  Help  them  to  look 
beyond  human  agencies  and  human  means,  and  recognize  Thy  hand, 
0  God,  in  this  providence,  and  say,  It  is  the  Lord,  let  Him  do  what 
seemeth  good  in  His  sight;  and  as  they  proceed  slowly  and  sadly 
on  their  way  with  the  remains  of  a  husband  and  father,  to  consign 
them  to  their  last  resting-place,  may  they  look  beyond  the  grave  to 


128  LINCOLN  MEMORIAL. 

the  morning  of  resurrection,  when  that  which  they  now  sow  in  week- 
ness  shall  be  raised  in  strength;  what  they  now  sow  a  mortal  body, 
shall  be  raised  a  spiritual  body;  what  they  now  sow  in  corruption 
shall  be  raised  in  incorrupt-ion,  and  shall  be  fashioned  like  unto 
Christ's  most  glorious  body.  0  God  of  the  bereaved,  comfort  and 
sustain  this  mourning  family. 

Bless  the  new  Chief  Magistrate.  Let  the  mantle  of  his  predeces 
sor  fall  upon  him.  Bless  the  Secretary  of  State  in  his  family.  0 
God,  if  possible  according  to  Thy  will,  spare  their  lives,  that  they 
may  render  still  important  service  to  the  country.  Bless  all  the 
members  of  the  Cabinet;  endow  them  with  wisdom  from  above. 
Blees  the  commanders  of  our  army  and  navy  and  all  the  brave  de 
fenders  of  the  country,  and  give  them  continued  success.  Bless  the 
ambassadors  from  foreign  countries,  and  give  us  peace  with  the 
nations  of  the  earth.  0  God,  let  treason  that  has  deluged  our  land 
with  blood,  and  devastated  our  country,  and  bereaved  our  homes, 
and  filled  them  with  widows  and  orphans,  and  has  at  length  cul 
minated  in  the  assassination  of  the  nation's  great  ruler,  God  of  jus 
tice  and  avenger  of  the  nation's  wrong  !  let  the  work  of  treason 
cease,  and  let  the  guilty  author  of  this  horrible  crime  be  arrested 
and  brought  to  justice.  Oh  hear  the  cry  and  prayer,  and  see  the 
tears  now  arising  from  a  nation's  crushed  and  smitten  heart;  and 
deliver  us  from  the  power  of  all  our  enemies,  and  send  speedy  peace 
unto  all  of  our  borders  :  through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.  Amen. 

The  hearse  arrived  shortly  before  the  conclusion  of  the  ser 
vices  in  the  White  House.  It  was  built  expressly  by  G.  R. 
Hall.  The  lower  base  of  the  hearse  is  fourteen  feet  long  and 
seven  feet  wide,  and  eight  feet  from  the  ground.  The  upper 
base,  upon  which  the  coffin  rests,  is  eleven  feet  long,  and  is 
five  feet  below  the  top  of  the  canopy.  The  canopy  is  sur 
mounted  by  a  gilt  eagle,  covered  with  crape.  The  whole 
hearse  is  covered  with  cloth,  velvet,  crape,  and  alpaca.  The 
seat  is  covered  with  hammer-cloth,  and  on  each  side  is  a  splen 
did  black  lamp.  The  hearse  is  fifteen  feet  high,  and  the  coffin 
is  so  placed  as  to  afford  a  full  view  to  all  spectators.  It  was 
drawn  by  six  gray  horses. 

The  funeral  cortege  started  with  military  precision  at  two 
o'clock.  The  avenue  was  cleared  the  whole  length  from  the 
Presidential  mansion  to  the  Capitol.  Every  window,  house 
top,  balcony,  and  every  inch  of  the  sidewalks  on  either  side 
was  densely  crowded  with  a  living  throng  to  witness  the  pro- 


THE  FUNERAL  AT  WASHINGTON.  129 

cession.  In  all  this  dense  crowd  hardly  a  sound  was  heard. 
People  conversed  with  each  other  in  suppressed  tones.  Pres 
ently  the  monotonous  thump  of  the  funeral  drum  sounded  upon 
the  street,  and  the  military  escort  of  the  funeral  car  began  to 
march  past  with  solemn  tread,  muffled  drums,  and  arms  reversed. 

A  scene  so  solemn,  imposing,  and  impressive  as  that  which 
the  national  metropolis  presented,  and  upon  which  myriad 
eyes  of  saddened  faces  were  gazing,  was  never  witnessed,  under 
circumstances  so  appalling,  in  any  portion  of  our  beloved 
country.  Around  us  is  the  capital  city,  clad  in  the  habil 
iments  of  mourning;  above  us,  the  cloudless  sky,  so  bright,  so 
tranquil,  so  cheerful,  as  if  Heaven  would,  on  this  solemn  occa 
sion,  specially  invite  us,  by  the  striking  contrast,  to  turn  our 
thoughts  from  the  darkness  and  the  miseries  of  this  life  to  the 
light  and  the  joy  that  shine,  with  endless  lustre,  beyond  it. 
The  mournful  strains  of  the  funeral  dirge,  borne  on  the  gentle 
zephyrs  of  this  summer-like  day,  touch  a  responsive  chord  in 
every  human  heart  of  the  countless  thousands  that,  with  solemn 
demeanor  and  measured  step,  follow  to  their  temporary  resting- 
place  in  the  nation's  capitol  the  cold,  inanimate  form  of  one 
who,  living,  was  the  honored  Chief  Magistrate  of  the  American 
people,  and,  dead,  will  ever  be  endeared  in  their  fondest  mem 
ories.  Never  did  a  generous  and  grateful  people  pay,  in  an 
guish  and  tears,  a  tribute  more  sincere  or  merited  to  a  kind, 
humane,  and  patriotic  chieftain ;  never  were  the  dark  and 
bloody  deeds  of  crime  brought  out  in  relief  so  bold,  and  in 
horror  and  detestation  so  universal,  as  in  the  sublime  and  im 
posing  honors  this  day  tendered  to  the  corpse  of  Abraham 
Lincoln.  Such  a  scene  is  the  epoch  of  a  lifetime.  Strong 
"men  are  deeply  affected ;  gentle  women  weep ;  children  are 
awe-stricken  ;  none  will  ever  forget  it.  Memory  has  conse 
crated  it  on  her  brightest  tablet ;  and  it  will  ever  be  thought, 
spoken,  and  written  of  as  the  sublime  homage  of  a  sorrowing 
nation  at  the  shrine  of  the  martyred  patriot. 

The  following  was  in  the  main  the  order  of  procession  : 

Tenth  "Regiment,  Veteran  Reserve  Corps,  Major  George  Bowers  commanding. 

The  Ninth  Regiment,  Veteran  Reserve  Corps,  Lieut.  Colonel  R.  E.  Johnson , 
the  band  playing  a  dirge. 

Colonel  George  W.  Gile  was  in  command  of  the  brigade,  whoso  flags  were 
draped  in  mourning.  The  men  marched  with  reversed  arms  and  muffled 
drums. 

14 


130  LINCOLN  MEMORIAL. 

Battalion  of  Marines,  Major  Graham. 

The  Marine  Band  played  the  funeral  march,  composed  by  Brevet  Major-Gen 
eral  J.  G.  Barnard,  dedicated  to  the  occasion. 

A  detachment  of  artillery  from  Camp  Barry,  consisting  of  eight  brass  pieces 
draped  in  mourning,  the  whole  under  the  command  of  Brigadier  General  Hall. 

Sixteenth  New  York  cavalry ;  two  battalions  of  the  Sixteenth  Illinois  cav 
alry  ;  and  one  battalion  of  the  Eighteenth  Illinois  cavalry,  under  the  command 
of  Colonel  M.  B.  Sweitzer. 

Band  of  the  Sixteenth  New  York  cavalry. 

Commander  of  escort,  Major -General  Augur  and  Staff. 

General  Hardee  and  Staff. 

General  Gamble  and  Staff. 

Dismounted  Officers  of  the  Marine  Corps,  Navy,  and  Army,  nearly  three  hun 
dred  in  number. 

Mounted  Officers  of  Marine  Corps,  Navy,  and  Army,  in  very  large  numbers. 

Several  hundred  paroled  officers  of  the  army. 

Medical  Staff  of  the  army,  &c.,  in  and  about  Washington. 

Paymasters  of  the  United  States  army,  under  the  command  of  Brevet  Brig 
adier-General  B.  W.  Brice,  Paymaster  General. 

CIVIC  PROCESSION. 

Marshal  Ward  H.  Lamon,  supported  by  his  aids. 

The  clergy  in  attendance,  the  Rev.  P.  D.  Gurley,  D.D.,  Rev.  Charles  H.  Hall, 
D.D. 

Right  Rev.  Bishop  Simpson,  D.D.,  and  Rev.  E.  H.  Gray,  D.D.,  Surgeon- 
General  Barnes,  of  the  United  States  army,  and  Dr.  Stone,  physicians  of  the 
deceased. 

PALL-BEAKERS  : 

On  the  part  of  the  Senate  ^  On  the  part  of  the  House  : 

Mr.  Foster,  of  Conn.,  Mr.  Dawes,  of  Mass., 

Mr.  Morgan,  of  New  York,  Mr.  Coffroth,  of  Penn., 

Mr.  Johnson,  of  Md.,  .  Mr.  Smith,  of  Kentucky, 

Mr.  Yates,  of  Illinois,  Mr.  Colfax,  of  Indiana, 

Mr.  Wade,  of  Ohio,  Mr.  Worthington,  of  Nevada, 

Mr.  Conness,  of  California.  Mr.  Washburne,  of  111. 

ARMY.  NAVY. 

Lieut.  General  U.  S.  Grant,  Vice-Admiral  Farragut, 

Major-General  H.  W.  Halleck,  Rear-Admiral  Shubrick, 

Bt.  Brigadier-General  Nichols.  Colonel  Jacob  Zeilen,  M.  C'ps. 

CIVILIANS. 

O.  H.  Browning,  Thomas  Corwin, 

George  Ashmun.  Simeon  Cameron. 

The  Hearse,  drawn  by  six  gray  horses,  each  led  by  a  groom, 

The  horse  of  the  deceased,  led  by  two  grooms,  caparisoned. 

The  family  of  the  deceased,  relatives,  private  secretaries,  and  friends. 

Delegations  of  the  States  of  Illinois  and  Kentucky  as  mourners. 

The  President  of  the  United  States,  accompanied  by  Hon.  Preston  King. 

Members  of  the  Cabinet. 

The  Diplomatic  Corps  in  full  Court  Dress. 


THE  FUNERAL  AT  WASHINGTON.  131 

Ex  Vice-President  Hamlin. 

Chief-Justice  S.  P.  Chase  and  the  Associate  Justices  of  the  Supreme  Court 
of  the  United  States. 

The  Senate  of  the  United  States,  with  their  officers. 

Members  of  the  late  and  the  next  House  of  Representatives,  with  the  officers 
of  the  last  House. 

Governors  of  the  several  States  and  Territories. 

Members  of  the  State  and  Territorial  Legislatures. 

Judges  of  the  Court  of  Claims. 

The  Federal  Judiciary  and  the  Judiciary  of  the  several  States  and  Terri 
tories. 

Assistant  Secretaries  of  the  several  Departments. 

Officers  of  the  Smithsonian  Institution. 

Members  and  officers  of  the  Sanitary  and  Christian  Commissions. 

The  Judges  of  the  several  Courts,  and  members  of  the  Bar  of  the  city  of 
Washington. 

Band. 

Washington  Commandary  of  Knights  Templar,  S.  P.  Bell,  Marshal,  pre 
ceded  by  the  band  of  the  Campbell  Hospital,  with  the  banners  of  their  order. 

The  Councils  and  other  members  of  the  Corporation  of  the  city  of  Baltimore. 

Members  of  the  Corporation  of  Alexandria. 

Members  of  the  Councils  of  the  city  of  New  York. 

The  Select  and  Common  Councils  of  the  city  of  Philadelphia.  Also,  dele 
gations  from  the  civic  authorities  of  Boston,  and  Brooklyn,  N.  Y. 

Committee  of  the  Union  League  of  Philadelphia,  headed  by  Horace  Binney, 
Jr.,  Esq.,  and  Morton  McMichael,  Esq. 

Members  of  the  Christian  Commission  of  the  city  of  Philadelphia. 

Band. 

The  Perseverance  Hose  Company  of  the  city  of  Philadelphia,  of  which  Pre 
sident  Lincoln  was  an  honorary  member,  in  black  suits,  with  badges  on  their 
hats  designating  their  organization. 

The  Corporate  Authorities  of  Washington  and  Georgetown,  headed  by 
Mayors  of  five  cities,  Washington,  Georgetown,  Alexandria,  Baltimore,  and 
Boston. 

Ministers  of  various  religious  denominations,  white  and  colored. 

Delegations  from  the  various  States  in  the  following  order : 

Massachusetts,  about  seventy-five  in  number,  besides  the  band,  which  they 
brought  from  Boston.  The  State  flag  which  they  bore  was  draped  in  mourn 
ing.  Major-General  B.  F.  Butler,  in  citizen's  dress,  occupied  a  position  in  this 
portion  of  the  line ;  Marshal  Gardiner  Tufts.  New  Hampshire,  numbering 
about  twenty  men  ;  Marshal  Matthew  G.  Emery. 

Ohio  had  eighty  men  in  line,  under  the  marshalship  of  H.  M.  Slade,  Esq. 

New  York  numbered  three  hundred. 

New  Jersey  was  represented  by  one  hundred  of  her  sons,  and  led  by  Mr. 
Prevost,  acting  marshal. 

California,  Oregon,  and  Nevada  united  and  had  one  hundred  representative!? 
of  the  Far  West,  under  the  marshalship  of  Mr.  Wray. 

Maine  sent  a  large  delegation,  led  by  Mr.  S.  P.  Brown. 

Band. 

The  heads  and  chiefs  of  Bureaus  of  the  Treasury  Department,  under  the 


132  LINCOLN  MEMORIAL. 

marslialsliip  of  Messrs.  A.  E.  Edwards,  assisted  by  Capt.  Jones  and  Col.  Wil- 
lett,  preceded  by  the  band  of  the  Treasury  Regiment.  They  carried  with  them 
the  flag  torn  by  Booth,  as  he  leaped  to  the  stage  of  Ford's  Theatre  on  the  night 
of  the  assassination. 

The  Journeymen  Bookbinders  and  Printers  of  the  Government  establishment, 
marshalled  by  Mr.  George  W.  Francis. 

The  War  Department  employees  turned  out  in  large  force,  and  were  mar 
shalled  by  Mr.  Potts. 

The  Pension  Office  had  one  hundred  employees  in  line,  marshalled  by  Com 
missioner  Barrett  and  Mr.  Pearson,  chief  clerk. 

The  clerks  and  employees  of  the  Post-office  Department  were  marshalled  by 
Dr.  McDonald  and  Major  Scott. 

The  clerks  of  the  Ordnance  Office. 

The  clerks  of  the  Agricultural  Bureau. 

Quartermaster's  Band. 

Major-General  M.  C.  Meigs,  and  the  heads  of  divisions  of  the  Quartermaster's 
Department. 

A  brigade,  composed  of  the  employees  of  the  Quartermaster's  Department. 

Office  battalion  Quartermaster's  regiment,  Major  Wagner  commanding. 

First  regiment  Quartermaster's  Volunteers,  Col.  C.  H.  Tompkins  commanding. 

Second  regiment,  Col.  J.  M.  Moore  commanding. 

Brig.-General  Rucker  commanded  the  brigade,  and  Brig. -General  J.  A.  Ekin 
and  Col.  J.  J.  Dana  were  the  marshals. 

Clerks  of  the  Quartermaster's  Department,  in  citizens'  dress. 

Eight  survivors  of  the  war  of  1812 — viz.,  Chapman  Lee,  Fielder  R.  Dorsett, 
Smith  Minor,  Thomas  Foster,  R.  M.  Harrison,  Isaac  Burch,  Joseph  P.  Wolf, 
and  Capt.  John  Moore. 

The  clerks  and  employees  of  the  Baltimore  Custom-house  and  Post-office, 
•marshalled  by  Dr.  E.  C.  Gaskill,  one  hundred  and  eighty  in  number,  with  band 
of  the  Eighth  Regiment,  U.  S.  Infantry. 

Society  of  the  Brotherhood  of  the  Union,  Capitol  Circle  No.  1.  Thomas  H. 
Robinson  marshal. 

Band. 

The  Fenian  Brotherhood,  Marshal  P.  H.  Donegan,  State  Centre,  D.  C.,  three 
hundred  men,  their  flag  djaped. 

A  detachment  of  the  guard  stationed  at  Seminary  Hospital,  Georgetown, 
marshalled  by  Sergeant  Conway. 

Band. 

Employees  of  the  United  States  Military  Railroad,  under  the  command  of 
General  McCullum. 

The  National  Republican  Association  of  the  Seventh  Ward,  marshalled  by 
Captain  McConnell. 

A  delegation  of  citizens  of  Alexandria,  headed  by  the  band  attached  to  Gen. 
Slough's  headquarters. 

Firemen  of  Alexandria  :  Friendship  and  Sun  Fire  Companies. 

Civic  societies  of  Alexandria ;  Andrew  Jackson  Lodge  A.  Y.  M.  Delegation 
from  the  Christian  Commission  of  Alexandria.  >**  ,J 

Two  German  Glee  Clubs. 

The  Mount  Vernon  Association. 

The  Potomac  Hose  Company,  of  Georgetown,  Samuel  R.  Swain,  marshal. 


THE  FUNERAL  AT  WASHINGTON.  133 

About  four  hundred  convalescents  from  the  Lincoln  Hospital,  preceded  by 
their  band. 

Workingmen  and  mechanics  of  the  Mount  Clair  Works,  Baltimore,  to  the 
number  of  seven  hundred,  were  marshalled  by  Wm.  H.  Shepley. 

Convalescents  from  Finley  Hospital  to  the  number  of  nearly  three  hundred, 
under  charge  of  Steward  Hill. 

Operatives  employed  at  the  Arsenal,  under  the  marshalship  of  William  H. 
Godron. 

Two  hundred  and  fifty  pupils  of  Gonzaga  College,  under  the  charge  of 
Father  Wiget,  with  whom  were  a  number  of  Catholic  clergymen  and  teachers. 

Band. 

Union  Leagues  of  East  Baltimore,  Washington,  Georgetown,  and  New  York, 
marshalled  by  James  D.  McKean. 

German  societies  and  citizens  :  Relief  Association  of  Washington,  mounted  ; 
Relief  Association,  on  foot ;  Turners,  of  Washington ;  Washington  Sanger- 
bund  ;  Germania  Lodge,  No.  1,  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  ;  Franklin  Lodge  of  In 
dependent  Brothers,  No.  1 ;  and  the  Swiss  Association.  Marshal,  Col.  Joseph 
Gerhardt,  assisted  by  Messrs.  Charles  Walter,  F.  Stosch,  M.  Rosenberg,  F. 
Martin,  Andrew  Lutz,  and  Franz  Buehler.  The  delegation  was  headed  by 
Lebnartz's  Baltimore  band. 

The  Sons  of  Temperance,  preceded  by  the  band  of  Carver  Hospital,  and  was 
marshalled  by  G.  W.  P.,  F.  M.  Bradley  ;  divisions  No.  1  and  10,  Good  Samari 
tan  and  Meridian,  marshalled  by  P.  W.  Summy  ;  Excelsior  Division,  No.  6, 
Federal  City  Division,  No.  2,  and  Equal  Division,  No,  3,  marshalled  by  S.  C. 
Spurgeon  and  S.  S.  Bond,  and  preceded  by  a  band ;  Aurora  Division,  No.  9 
(Finley  Hospital),  marshalled  by  H.  D.  Maynard  ;  Lincoln  Division,  marshalled 
by  M.  F.  Kelley ;  Mount  Pleasant  Division,  Sergeant  O.  G.  Lane  marshal ; 
Cliffburne  Division,  J.  M.  Roney  marshal ;  Mount  Vernon  and  McKee  Divi 
sions,  Alexandria,  T.  A.  Dolan  marshal ;  Everett  Division,  No.  25  (Camp  Barry), 
W.  H.  Perkins  marshal. 

The  Columbia  Typographical  Society,  marshalled  by  Mr.  L.  F.  Clements. 

The  Hebrew  Congregation,  one  hundred  and  twenty-five  men,  marshalled  by 
B.  Kaufman. 

A  delegation  of  two  or  three  hundred  Italians,  under  the  marshalship  of  ex 
Lieutenant  Maggi.  They  carried  the  national  flags  of  Italy  and  the  United  States. 

Convalescents  from  Emory  Hospital,  under  Hospital  Steward  W.  C.  Branhill. 

Colored  people  to  the  number  of  several  thousand,  among  whom  were  the 
following : 

The  Annual  Conference  of  the  African  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  headed 
by  Right  Revs.  Bishops  Payne  and  Wayman. 

Clergy  of  the  various  denominations. 

G.  U.  0.  0.  Nazarites,  marshal  Noah  Butler. 

Delegation  of  the  First  Colored  Christian  Commission  of  Baltimore. 

D.  A.  Payne  Lodge  of  Good  Samaritans. 

The  G.  U.  0.  0.  Fellows,  preceded  by  the  Grand  Council. 

Blue  Lodge  of  Ancient  York  Masons. 

Masonic  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States  and  Canadas. 

Colored  citizens  of  Baltimore,  George  A.  Hackett  chief  marshal. 

Washington  United  Benevolent  Association,  who  carried  with  them  a  ban 
ner  on  which  was  inscribed  the  words,  "  We  mourn  our  loss." 


134:  LINCOLN  MEMORIAL 

Band. 

Colored  men  of  Washington  Sons  of  Levi. 

Eastern  Star  Lodge,  No.  1,028,  I.  0.  O.  F. 

John  F.  Cook  Lodge,  No.  1,185. 

Union  Friendship  Lodge,  No.  891. 

Potomac  Union  Lodge,  of  Georgetown,  No.  892 

Olive  Lodge,  No.  967,  A.  Y.  M. 

The  Catholic  Benevolent  Association,  carrying  a  banner  bearing  the  motto, 
"  Jn  God  we  trust." 

Harmony  Lodge  of  Odd  Fellows. 

Union  Grand  Lodge  of  Maryland 

A  colored  regiment  from  the  front  arrived  at  precisely  two  o'clock,  and  not 
being  able  to  proceed  any  further  than  the  corner  of  Seventh  street,  halted*  in 
front  of  the  Metropolitan  Hotel,  wheeled  about,  and  became  by  that  mano3uvre 
the  very  head  and  front  of  the  procession.  They  appeared  to  be  under  the 
very  best  discipline,  and  displayed  admirable  skill  in  their  various  exercises. 

Long  before  the  solemnities  began  at  the  White  House,  crowds 
of  people  flocked  to  the  Capitol.  The  magnificent  edifice  was 
handsomely  draped  with  black.  All  the  pillars  and  windows 
wore  the  solemn  emblems  of  mourning,  and  high  upon  the 
splendid  dome  the  same  sad  symbols  drooped  despondingly.  It 
was  arranged  that  the  funeral  procession  should  pass  up  by  the 
north  side  of  the  Capitol,  and  enter  the  building  at  the  cen 
tral  door  of  the  east  front.  There  stood  the  black  platform  by 
means  of  which  the  coffin  was  to  be  lifted  down  from  the  car, 
and  over  the  central  door  there  was  a  small  black  canopy. 

The  people  gathered  in  groups,  picnicked  on  the  grass  or 
covered  the  marble  steps.  Inside  there  reigned  a  solemn  silence, 
broken  only  by  the  thunders  of  artillery  just  beyond  the  Capitol 
grounds.  On  the  west  balcony  sat  Simon  Cameron,  who  was 
to  have  been  one  of  the  pall-bearers,  but  who  was  unable  to  get 
into  the  White  House,  and  so  awaited  the  arrival  of  the  pro 
cession. 

The  tolling  of  bells  and  the  minute-guns  from  the  forts  an 
nounced  that  the  cortege  was  forming,  and  made  the  solemnity 
of  the  deserted  Capitol  almost  oppressive.  Then  the  mournful 
pageant  could  be  discerned  moving  slowly  down  the  grand 
avenue — moving,  and  yet  it  did  not  seem  to  move,  so  gradual 
was  its  advance.  It  was  after  three  o'clock  before  the  Presi 
dent's  remains  reached  the  rotunda. 

All  the  pictures  on  the  rotunda  walls  were  covered  with 
black,  and  the  statues  were  completely  draped,  except  the  statue 
of  Washington,  which  wore  a  black  scarf.  In  the  centre  of  the 


THE  FUNERAL  AT  WASHINGTON.  135 

marble  floor  stood  the  catafalque,  covered  with  black.  It  was 
about  nine  feet  long,  three  feet  high,  and  four  feet  broad.  The 
black  cloth  was  ornamented  with  silver  fringe  and  looped  with 
silver  stars.  At  each  corner  of  the  structure  was  the  fasces,  and 
on  either  side  were  muskets,  rifles,  carbines,  bayonets,  sabres, 
and  cutlasses,  arranged  as  trophies.  No  flag  was  displayed  in 
the  rotunda.  On  every  hand  were  the  black  hangings  and  the 
black  crape,  and  the  effect  was  inexpressibly  gloomy. 

Just  after  three  o'clock  the  head  of  the  cortege  wheeled  into  the 
open  space  in  front  of  the  eastern  entrance.  The  soldiers  filed 
past  in  the  order  already  given,  and  when  the  infantry  extended 
quite  across  the  open  space  they  halted  and  faced  inw^ard,  thus 
inclosing  the  entrance  in  a  military  square.  The  artillery 
passed  behind  the  infantry,  and  took  a  position  on  the  hill  op 
posite  the  entrance.  The  cavalry  remained  without  in  the  street. 
Then  the  officers  of  the  army  and  navy  gathered  in  great  groups 
in  front  of  the  infantry.  Finally,  the  carriages  rolled  slowly  up 
to  deposit  the  pall-bearers,  mourners,  and  Committee  of  Ar 
rangements,  wrho  formed  in  double  line  up  the  steps  leading  to 
the  east  door.  On  either  hand,  and  behind  the  stldiery. 
throngs  of  spectators  looked  silently  on,  the  colored  men  and 
women  being  especially  conspicuous,  since  they  had  secured  the 
best  posts  of  observation.  A  burst  of  sad  melodies  filled  the 
air,  and  the  funeral  car  stopped  to  allow  Abraham  Lincoln  to 
enter  the  Capitol  for  the  last  time. 

Six  weeks  and  a  half  ago  President  Lincoln  stood  upon  a 
platform  built  over  the  very  steps  up  which  he  was  now  being 
carried,  and  delivered  his  second  inaugural  address.  With  few 
exceptions  the  same  faces  surrounded  him  then  as  now.  Then 
the  same  crowd  was  assembled  to  do  him  honor,  and  long  lines 
of  soldiers  presented  arms  at  his  approach — just  as  they  do  to 
day.  Though  the  Lieutenant-G-eneral  was  not  present  then, 
Vice- Admiral  Farragut  stood  by  the  President's  side,  and  the 
glittering  galaxies  of  brave  officers  of  the  army  and  navy  were 
there,  and  the  Cabinet  ministers  were  at  his  left  hand,  and 
Andrew  Johnson  was  quite  as  conspicuous,  and  Senators  and 
Congressmen  and  diplomatists  were  as  numerous.  Then  the 
sun  broke  through  the  storm-clouds  as  if  blessing  him,  and  now 
it  beamed  as  brightly  upon  his  upturned  face.  There  was  the 
same  scene,  the  same  actors,  the  same  spectators ;  but  over  all 


136  LINCOLN  MEMORIAL. 

there  was  a  terrible  change.  Then  the  President  lived,  and 
now  he  lay  in  his  coffin,  murdered  by  his  assassin.  Then  h<> 
spoke  pious  words  of  peace,  of  good-will,  and  of  his  steadfast 
determination  to  preserve  the  Union.  Now  he  spoke  still  more 
powerfully  in  his  death,  and  every  man  felt  the  force  of  the 
lesson  taught  by  that  cold  still  form,  and  said  amen  to  its  moral. 
The  troops  presenting  arms,  the  bands  playing  a  requiem, 
the  assemblage  standing  uncovered,  and  the  artillery  thunder 
ing  solemnly,  the  coffin  was  carefully  removed  from  the  funeral 
car,  carried  into  the  rotunda  by  a  detail  from  the  President's 
bodyguard,  and  placed  upon  the  catafalque.  Preceding  the 
little  procession  came  Major  French,  whose  officers  stood  in  line 
with  heads  bared.  Then  followed  the  pall-bearers,  who  parted 
on  either  side  of  the  catafalque.  The  coffin  came  next,  and  the 
moment  it  was  placed  in  position,  Dr.  Gurley,  standing  at  the 
head  of  the  coffin,  uttered  a  few  brief  and  most  impressive  re 
marks,  chiefly  in  solemn  words  of  Scripture,  consigning  the  dead 
ashes  once  animated  by  the  soul  of  Abraham  Lincoln  to  their 
original  dust.  The  deep  tones  of  his  voice  reverberated  from  the 
vast  walls  and  ceiling  of  the  rotunda,  now  first  used  for  such  a 
solemn  occasion,  and  during  the  impressive  scene  many  were 
affected  to  tears : — 

"  It  is  appointed  unto  men  once  to  die.  The  dust  returns' to  the 
earth  as  it  was,  and  the  spirit  to  God  who  gave  it.  All  flesh  is  but 
as  grass,  and  the  glory  of  man  as  the  flower  of  grass;  the  grass 
withereth,  and  the  flower  thereof  fadeth  away.  We  know  that  we 
must  die  and  go  to  the  house  appointed  for  all  living.  For  what  is 
our  life  ?  It  is  even  as  a  vapor  that  appeareth  for  a  little  time  and 
then  vanishes  away.  Therefore,  be  ye  also  ready;  for  in  such  an 
hour  as  ye  think  not  the  Son  of  Man  cometh.  Let  us  pray — 

"  Lord,  so  teach  us  to  number  our  days  that  we  may  apply  our 
hearts  unto  wisdom.  Wean  us  from  this  transitory  world.  Turn 
away  our  eyes  from  beholding  vanity.  Lift  our  affections  to  the 
things  which  are  above,  where  Christ  sitteth  on  the  right  hand  of 
God.  There  may  our  treasure  be,  and  there  may  our  hearts  be  also. 
Wash  us  in  the  blood  of  Christ.  Clothe  us  in  the  righteousness  of 
Christ.  Renew  and  sanctify  us  by  his  word  and  spirit.  Lead  us 
in  the  paths  of  piety  for  his  name's  sake.  Gently,  Lord,  oh  gently 
guide  us  through  all  the  duties  and  changes  and  trials  of  our  earthly 
pilgrimage.  Dispose  us  to  pass  the  time  of  our  sojourning  here  in 


THE  FUNERAL  AT  WASHINGTON.  137 

fear,  denying  ungodliness  and  worldly  lusts,  and  living  soberly, 
righteously,  and  godly  in  this  present  world ;  and  when,  at  the  last, 
our  time  shall  come  to  die,  may  we  be  gathered  to  our  fathers,  leav 
ing  the  testimony  of  a  good  conscience  in  the  communion  of  the 
Christian  Church,  in  the  confidence  of  a  certain  faith,  in  the  comfort 
of  a  reasonable,  religious,  and  holy  hope,  in  favor  with  Thee,  our 
God,  and  in  perfect  charity  with  the  world :  all  which  we  ask  through 
Jesus  Christ,  our  blessed  Lord  and  Redeemer.  Amen. 

"Forasmuch  as  it  hath  pleased  Almighty  God,  in  his  wise  provi 
dence,  to  take  out  of  this  clay  tabernacle  the  soul  that  inhabited  it, 
we  commit  its  decaying  remains  to  their  kindred  element — earth  to 
earth,  ashes  to  ashes,  dust  to  dust— looking  for  the  general  resur 
rection,  through  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  at  whose  coming  to  judge 
the  world,  the  earth  and  sea  shall  give  up  their  dead,  and  the  corrup 
tible  bodies  of  them  that  sleep  in  Him  shall  be  fashioned  like  unto 
his  glorious  body,  according  to  the  working  whereby  He  is  able  to 
subdue  all  things  unto  himself.  Wherefore,  let  us  comfort  one 
another  with  these  words.  And  now  may  the  God  of  Peace,  that 
brought  again  from  the  dead  our  Lord  Jesus,  that  great  Shepherd 
of  the  sheep,  through  the  blood  of  the  everlasting  covenant,  make 
you  perfect  in  every  good  work,  to  do  his  will,  working  in  you  that 
which  is  well-pleasing  in  his  sight,  through  Jesus  Christ,  the  resur 
rection  and  the  life,  our  Redeemer  and  our  hope,  to  whose  care  we 
now  commit  these  precious  remains,  and  to  whose  name  be  glory 
forever  and  ever.  Amen." 

As  the  prayer  closed,  President  Johnson  entered  the  rotunda, 
attended  by  several  senators.  Lieutenant-General  Grant,  who 
had  hitherto  stood  modestly  but  conspicuously  among  the  pall 
bearers,  next  to  General  Halleck,  now  fell  back  out  of  sight. 
Captain  Robert  Lincoln  and  the  family  relatives  appeared  more 
prominently.  Then  the  President's  bodyguard  and  the  cavalry 
escort  filed  in  and  formed  in  double  column  to  the  west  of  the 
catafalque.  The  only  persons  in  the  rotunda  were  the  relatives, 
the  clergymen,  the  officers  in  charge  of  the  body,  the  pall 
bearers,  the  President  and  his  Cabinet,  four  representatives  of 
the  press,  the  Illinois  and  Kentucky  delegations,  Marshal  Lamon 
and  a  few  of  his  committee,  the  soldiers  already  mentioned, 
Commissioner  French,  and  the  Capitol  police.  There  was  no 
delay  in  Dr.  Gurley's  remarks,  and  the  shuffling  of  feet  as  the  dis 
tinguished  persons  outside  tried  to  steal  in  before  the  conclusion 
of  the  ceremonies  was  the  only  interruption.  The  prayer  fol- 


138  LINCOLN  MEMORIAL. 

lowed  close  upon  the  burial  service,  and  the  benediction  as 
closely  followed  the  prayer. 

The  rotunda  was  then  cleared,  and  President  Lincoln  lay 
almost  alone.  A  detail  of  soldiers  was  then  made.  Guards 
were  stationed  at  all  the  doors  leading  from  the  rotunda.  In 
structions  were  issued  to  admit  no  one.  Secretary  Stanton  re 
mained  behind  for  a  while,  apparently  to  give  these  orders  and 
see  them  executed.  General  Augur  and  his  officers  took  charge 
of  the  corpse.  Commissioner  French  stationed  his  officers 
around  the  building.  The  attendant  carefully  brushed  every 
spot  of  dust  from  the  coffin  and  catafalque.  The  undertaker 
then  arrived,  and  all  those  not  on  duty  retired.  The  simple 
ceremonies  in  the  rotunda  were  over  by  four  o'clock. 

The  corpse  of  the  President  was  placed  beneath  the  right  con 
cave,  now  streaked  with  mournful  trappings,  and  left  in  state, 
watched  by  guards  of  officers  with  drawn  swords.  This  was  a 
wonderful  spectacle — the  man  most  beloved  and  honored,  in  the 
ark  of  the  Republic.  The  storied  paintings  representing  eras 
in  its  history  were  draped  in  sable,  through  which  they  seemed  to 
cast  reverential  glances  upon  the  lamented  bier.  The  thrilling 
scenes  depicted  by  Trumbull,  the  commemorative  canvases  of 
Leutze,  the  wilderness  vegetation  of  Powell,  glared  from  their 
separate  pedestals  upon  the  central  spot  where  lay  the  fallen 
majesty  of  the  country.  At  night  the  jets  of  gas  concealed  in 
the  spring  of  the  dome  were  lighted  up,  so  that  their  bright  re 
flection  upon  the  frescoed  walls  hurled  masses  of  burning  light, 
like  marvellous  haloes,  upon  the  little  box  where  so  much  that 
was  loved  and  honored  rested  on  its  way  to  the  grave.  And  so 
through  the  starry  night,  in  the  fane  of  the  great  Union  he  had 
strengthened  and  recovered,  the  ashes  of  Abraham  Lincoln, 
zealously  guarded,  lay  in  calm  repose. 


V. 

OBSERVANCES  IN  OTHER  CITIES, 


THE  veil  that  hides  from  our  dull  eyes 

A  hero's  worth,  Death  only  lifts : 

While  he  is  with  us,  all  liis  gifts 
Find  hosts  to  question,  few  to  prize. 

But,  done  the  battle — won  the  strife. 
When  torches  light  his  vaulted  tomb, 
Broad  geins  flash  out  and  crowns  illume 

The  clay-cold  brows  undecked  in  lilV. 

And  men  of  whom  the  world  will  talk 
For  ages  hence,  may  noteless  move ; 
And  only,  as  they  quit  us,  prove 

That  giant  souls  have  shared  our  walk. 

For  heaven — aware  what  follies  lurk 
In  our  weak  hearts — their  mission  done. 
Snatches  her  loved  ones  from  the  sun 

In  the  same  hour  that  crowns  their  work. 
****** 

O,  loved  and  lost!  thy  patient  toil 

Had  robed  our  cause  in  Victory's  light ; 
Our  Country  stood  redeemed  and  bright, 

With  not  a  slave  on  all  her  soil. 

Again  o'er  Southern  towns  and  towers 

The  eagles  of  our  nation  flew  ; 

And  as  the  weeks  to  Summer  grew, 
Each  day  a  new  success  was  ours. 

'Mid  peals  of  bells,  and  cannon  bark, — 
And  shouting  streets  with  flags  abloom  r— 
Sped  the  shrill  arrow  of  thy  doom, 

And  in  an  instant  all  was  dark  ! 

Charles  6.  Halplne. 


FUNERAL  SERVICES  IN  OTHER  CITIES.  141 


FUNERAL  SERVICES  IN  OTHER  CITIES. 


THE  FAST  DAY. 

On  the  death  of  the  President,  and  in  the  condition  to  which 
the  Secretary  of  State  was  reduced,  Mr.  Hunter,  the  Acting 
Secretary,  issued  the  following  official  document. 

DEPARTMENT  OF  STATE, 
WASHINGTON,  April  17,  1865. 
To  the  People  of  the  United  States: 

The  undersigned  is  directed  to  announce  that  the  funeral  cere 
monies  of  the  lamented  Chief  Magistrate  will  take  place  at  the 
Executive  Mansion  in  this  city  at  twelve  o'clock,  noon,  on  Wednes 
day,  the  19th  instant.  The  various  religious  denominations  through 
out  the  country  are  invited  to  meet  in  their  respective  places  of 
worship  at  that  hour  for  the  purpose  of  solemnizing  the  occasion 
with  appropriate  ceremonies. 

W.  HUNTER,  Acting  Secretary  of  State. 

The  invitation  which  it  contained  was  cordially  responded 
to  ;  as  the  following,  from  those  denominations  whose  organiza 
tions  made  the  pastoral  direction  of  a  Bishop  necessary,  testify. 

To  the  Clergy  and  Laity  of  the  Diocese  of  New  York : 

DEAR  BRETHREN — The  authorities  at  Washington  have  announced 
that  the  funeral  solemnities  of  the  late  President  of  the  United  States 
will  take  place  in  that  city  at  twelve  o'clock  on  Wednesday  of  this 
week  ;  and  they  have  expressed  the  hope  that  each  Christian  con 
gregation  in  the  country  will  assemble  at  that  hour  in  its  place  of 


142  LINCOLN  MEMORIAL. 

worship  and  unite  in  services  of  an  appropriate  character.  In  thus 
suggestion  I  most  heartily  concur,  as  I  am  sure  you  will.  I  do  there 
fore  most  affectionately  recommend  to  the  clergy  and  congregations 
of  this  diocese  to  appear  before  God  in  their  holy  places,  on  Wed 
nesday,  the  19th,  at  noon,  and  while  the  last  offices  are  being  per 
formed  over  the  mortal  remains  of  their  late  venetrated  Chief  Ma 
gistrate,  to  bow  down  in  humble  recognition  of  the  Almighty  hand, 
to  adore  His  Majesty,  to  revere  His  justice,  to  magnify  His  mercies, 
to  implore  Him  to  sanctify  to  us  His  dealings  with  us  as  a  people, 
and  at  the  same  time  to  testify  respect  for  the  memory  of  the  wise, 
upright,  and  benignant  ruler  who  has  been  so  mysteriously  removed 
from  this  mortal  scene.  The  following  order  of  services  is  hereby 
appointed  for  the  occasion  : 

1.  The  Lesser  Litany—"  0  Christ,  hear  us/'  &c.,  and  including  the  Prayer — 
"  We  humbly  beseech  thee,"  &c. 

2.  The  Anthem,  in  the  Burial  Office — "  Lord,  let  me  know  my  end,"  &c. 

3.  The  Lesson— 1st  Corinthians,  xv.  20. 

4.  A  Hymn. 

5.  The  Prayer  for  the  Nation  in  Affliction,  as  recently  set  forth. 

6.  The  prayer,  "  In  time  of  war  and  tumult." 

7.  The  two  prayers  at  the  end  of  the  burial  service. 

8.  "  The  grace  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,"  &c. 

Again  commending  you,  very  dear  brethren,  to  the  divine  protec 
tion  and  blessing,  I  remain,  most  affectionately,  your  brother  in 
Christ, 

HORATIO  POTTER,  Bishop  of  New  York. 

New  York,  Easter  Monday,  April  17, 1865. 

To  the  Reverend  Clergy  of  the  Diocese  of  Western  New  York : 

REVEREND  BRETHREN — The  death  of  the  President  of  the  United 
States,  by  the  hand  of  an  assassin,  is  a  calamity  which  it  needs  no 
words  to  impress  on  the  heart  of  the  nation. 

The  crime  is  not  regicide,  but  it  is  parricide. 

That  such  an  unnatural  sin  should  have  been  committed  against 
the  Divine  Majesty  and  against  the  ruler  of  a  free  people,  is  cause 
for  profound  humiliation  not  less  than  unfeigned  sorrow. 

In  obedience  to  the  new  order  of  his  Excellency  the  Governor,  the 
service  for  the  20th  instant  is  changed  as  follows  : 

Instead  of  the  Venite,  shall  be  used  (Psalm  51st),  the  Miserere. 
The  first  lesson,  followed  by  the  Benedicite,  shall  be  Deuteronomy 
xxxii.,  to  verse  42  ;  and  the  second  lesson,  St.  Matthew  xi.,  from 
verse  15th.  The  Litany  shall  be  said  entire. 

Other  appropriate  devotions  from  the  prayer-book  may  be  used  at 


FUNERAL  SERVICES  IN  OTHER  CITIES.  143 

the  discretion  of  the  minister,  and  also  those  for  the  nation  and 
rulers,  as  set  forth  by  my  Reverend  predecessor. 

On  Wednesday,  the  day  of  the  President's  funeral,  the  burial 
service  may  be  said  at  twelve  o'clock,  omitting  the  committal. 
The  Lord  be  with  you,  and  with  all  our  afflicted  countrymen. 
Your  affectionate  Bishop, 

A.  CLEVELAND  COXE. 
Easter  Monday,  New  York,  April  17,  1865. 

FELLOW-CITIZENS — A  deed  of  blood  has  been  perpetrated  which 
has  caused  every  heart  to  shudder,  and  which  calls  for  the  execra 
tion  of  every  citizen.  On  Good  Friday,  the  hallowed  anniversary 
of  our  blessed  Lord's  crucifixion,  when  all  Christendom  was  bowed 
down  in  penitence  and  sorrow  at  His  tomb,  the  President  of  these 
United  States  was  foully  assassinated,  and  a  wicked  attempt  was 
made  on  the  life  of  the  Secretary  of  State  !  Words  fail  us  in  ex 
pressing  detestation  for  a  deed  so  atrocious — hitherto,  happily,  un 
paralleled  in  our  history.  Silence  is,  perhaps,  the  best  and  most  ap 
propriate  expression  for  a  sorrow  too  great  for  utterance. 

We  are  quite  sure  that  we  need  not  remind  our  Catholic  brethren 
in  the  Archdiocese  of  the  duty — which  we  are  confident  they  will 
willingly  perform — of  uniting  with  their  fellow-citizens  in  whatever 
may  be  deemed  most  suitable  for  indicating  their  horror  of  the  crime, 
and  their  feeling  of  sympathy  for  the  bereaved.  We  also  invite  them 
to  join  together  in  humble  and  earnest  supplication  to  God  for  our 
beloved  but  afflicted  country;  and  we  enjoin  that  the  bells  of  all  our 
churches  be  solemnly  tolled  on  the  occasion  of  the  President's  fu 
neral. 

Given  from  our  residence  in  Baltimore  on  Holy  Saturday,  the  15th 
day  of  April,  1865. 

MARTIN  JOHN  SPALDING, 

Archbishop  of  Baltimore. 

REV.  DEAR  SIR — We  hereby  request  that  to-morrow  you  will  an 
nounce  to  your  people  in  words  expressive  of  your  common  sorrow 
the  melancholy  tidings  which  have  oome  so  suddenly  amid  the  first 
rejoicings  of  the  Easter  festival  to  shock  the  heart  of  the  nation,  and 
plunge  it  into  deepest  distress  and  mourning.  A  life  most  precious 
to  all,  the  life  of  the  honored  President  of  these  United  States,  has 
been  brought  to  a  sad  and  startling  close  by  the  violent  hand  of  an 
assassin  ;  the  life  of  the  Secretary  of  State  and  that  of  his  son  have 
been  assailed  by  a  similar  act  of  wickedness,  and  both  are  now  lying 
in  a  critical  condition.  While  bowing  down  in  humble  fear  and  in 


144  LINCOLN  MEMORIAL. 

tearful  submission  to  this  inscrutable  dispensation  of  Divine  Provi 
dence,  let  us  all  unite  in  pouring  forth  our  prayers  and  supplications 
with  renewed  earnestness  for  our  beloved  country  in  this  mournful 
and  perilous  crisis. 

Given  at  New  York,  this  15th  day  of  April,  1865. 

•f.  JOHN,  Archbishop  of  New  York. 

SECRETARY'S  OFFICE,  No.  198  MADISON-AVE. 
New  York,  April  17, 1865. 

REVEREND  AND  DEAR  SIR — As  the  funeral  obsequies  of  the  late 
lamented  President  of  the  United  States  will  take  place  in  Washing 
ton  City  on  Wednesday  next,  the  19th  inst,  the  Most  Reverend 
Archbishop  directs  that,  in  sympathy  with  the  national  sorrow,  the 
various  churches  of  the  city  and  Diocese  be  open  on  that  day  for 
public  service  at  10J  o'clock,  A.  M.,  and  that  at  the  several  Masses 
the  collect,  "  Pro  quacumque  tribulatione,"  be  recited  in  addition  to 
the  usual  collects  of  the  day. 

It  is  likewise  recommended  that  at  the  end  of  Mass  the  psalm  Mise 
rere  should  be  read  or  chanted,  supplicating  God's  mercy  for  our 
selves  and  all  the  people. 

By  order  of  the  Most  Reverend  Archbishop. 

FRS.  McNEIRNY,  Secretary. 

To  the  Reverend  Clergy  and  Faithful  of  the  Diocese  of  Philadelphia  : 
REVEREND  BRETHREN  AND  BELOVED  CHILDREN — It  is  not  necessary 
for  us  to  announce  to  you  the  sad  calamity  which  has  befallen'  the 
nation.  It  is  already  known  in  every  city,  village,  and  hamlet  of 
our  widely  extended  country.  Everywhere  it  has  sent  a  thrill  of 
horror  through  the  hearts  of  all  true  and  law-abiding  citizens.  We 
desire  thus  publicly  to  declare  both  for  ourselves  and  you  our  utter 
abhorrence  and  execration  of  the  atrocious  deed,  and  at  the  same 
time,  our  sympathy  and  condolence  with  all  our  fellow-citizens,  and 
especially  with  those  most  nearly  interested  in  this  sad  and  afflicting 
bereavement.  We  desire  to  enter  fully  and  cordially  into  the  uni 
versal  expression  of  the  national  grief  and  into  the  public  demon 
strations  by  which  it  is  appropriately  manifested.  In  times  of 
peril  and  danger,  it  is  the  duty  of  all  to  recur  by  most  earnest 
prayer  to  the  Divine  Disposer  of  all  events,  and  with  due  resigna 
tion  to  our  existing  afflictions  and  calamities,  to  pour  forth  our  sup 
plications  to  God  that  we  may  be  saved  from  future  and  impending 
evils.  We  prescribe  to  the  clergy  the  recitation,  in  the  Holy  Sacri 
fice  of  the  Mass,  of  the  prayer  "  Pro  quacumque  tribulatione"  for  the 
space  of  one  month,  and  enjoin  on  the  faithful  the  sacred  duty  of  im- 


FUNERAL  SERVICES  IN  OTHER  CITIES.  145 

ploring  in  their  daily  prayers  and  devotions  the  aid  of  Almighty 
God  to  our  afflicted  nation  in  its  necessities. 

Dominus  sit  semper  vobiscum. 

JAMES  FREDERIC,  Bishop  of  Philadelphia. 

Easter  Monday,  1865. 

The  prayers  prescribed  by  the  Rt.  Rev.  Bishop,  and  which  may 
with  great  propriety  be  used  by  the  faithful,  are  as  follows  : 

COLLECT. 

Turn  not  away  Thine  eyes,  0  most  merciful  God,  from  Thy  people 
crying  out  to  Thee  in  their  affliction;  but  for  the  glory  of  Thine  own 
name  relieve  us  in  our  necessities,  through  Christ  our  Lord. 

SECRET. 

Mercifully  receive,  0  Lord,  the  offerings  by  which  Thou  vouch- 
safest  to  be  appeased  ;  and  by  Thy  great  goodness  restore  us  to 
safety,  through  Christ  our  Lord. 

POST-COMMUNION. 

Look  down  mercifully,  we  beseech  Thee,  0  Lord,  in  our  tribula 
tion,  and  turn  away  the  wrath  of  Thy  indignation,  which  we  justly 
deserve,  through  Christ  our  Lord.  Amen. 

Our  Father.     Hail  Mary. 

Wednesday  was  accordingly,  by  common  consent,  devoted 
to  mourning.  Public  authorities,  the  heads  of  religious  de 
nominations,  all  as  by  a  common  instinct  called  upon  the  na 
tion  to  unite  in  prayer  before  their  several  altars  ;  while  at  the 
capital  of  the  nation  the  last  solemn  rites  were  offered  in  the 
home  of  the  lost  Ruler  ere  he  was  borne  from  the  residence  of 
American  Presidents  to  that  greater  than  Rome's  capitol,  where 
he  was  to  lie  in  state  till  the  convoy  began  its  march  of  miles 
to  be  told  by  hundreds  before  the  body  reached  the  city  of  the 
West  identified  with  bis  career  in  manhood. 

Throughout  the  loyal  States  there  was  a  universal  suspen 
sion  of  ordinary  avocations  and  a  closing  of  places  of  business, 
out  of  respect  to  the  departed.  In  nearly  every  city,  town, 
and  village  the  streets  were  hung  in  black,  while  the  solemn 
tolling  of  the  bells  and  the  booming  of  the  minute-guns  added 
to  the  general  solemnity.  The  stores  and  offices  being  closed 
and  the  noise  of  traffic  and  amusement  hushed,  a  Sabbath  re 
pose  rested  on  the  land.  The  churches  were  crowded  with 
worshippers,  and  the  clergy  in  fitting  discourses  paid  theii 

10 


146  LINCOLN  MEMORIAL. 

homage  to  departed  greatness,  their  testimony  of  affection  to 
a  bereaved  country,  their  words  of  sympathy  to  her  who  felt 
more  keenly  even  than  the  nation  her  sudden  loss. 

Never  before  was  such  a  general  sadness  ;  never  again,  we 
trust,  will  there  be  such  a  cause.  It  was  no  lip  service ;  the 
grief  was  deep  and  heartfelt.  The  people  were  bereaved,  and 
they  knew  it  They  felt  the  blow  that  slew  their  President, 
and  saw  that  it  was  not  aimed  at  him  individually,  but  that  it 
was  the  concentration  of  that  hate  which  made  his  election  a 
pretext  for  rebellion. 

In  New  England,  where  the  funeral  procession  would  not 
pass  on  its  way  to  Springfield,  this  day  contained  the  highest 
expression  of  civic  grief.  At  Roxbury,  a  procession,  the 
largest  and  most  imposing  seen  for  many  years,  moved  from 
the  City  Hall  to  Dr.  Putnam's  church,  where  appropriate  ser 
vices  were  held.  At  Chelsea,  the  city  government  in  a  body 
attended  the  services  at  the  Chestnut  Street  Congregational 
Church.  In  Pepperell  also  a  procession  moved  to  the  church, 
where  impressive  services  were  held.  At  Providence  a  pro 
cession  escorted  the  Governor  to  the  Public  Plall,  where  a 
eulogy  was  pronounced.  At  Concord,  Ralph  W.  Emerson  de 
livered  the  following  address : 

We  meet  under  the  gloom  of  a  calamity  which  darkens  down 
over  the  minds  of  good  men  in  all  civilized  society,  as  the  fearful 
tidings  travel  over  sea,  over  land,  from  country  to  country,  like  the 
shadow  of  an  uncalculated  eclipse  over  the  planet.  Old  as  history 
is,  and  manifold  as  are  its  tragedies,  I  doubt  if  any  death  has  caused 
so  much  pain  to  mankind  as  this  has  caused,  or  will  cause,  on  its 
announcement;  and  this  not  so  much  because  nations  are,  by  mod 
ern  arts,  brought  so  closely  together,  as  because  of  the  mysterious 
hopes  and  fears  which,  in  the  present  day,  are  connected  with  the 
name  and  institutions  of  America. 

In  this  country,  on  Saturday,  every  one  was  struck  dumb,  and 
saw,  at  first,  only  deep  below  deep,  as  he  meditated  on  the  ghastly 
blow.  And,  perhaps,  at  this  hour,  when  the  coffin  which  contains 
the  dust  of  the  President  sets  forward  on  its  long  march  through 
mourning  States,  on  its  way  to  its  home  in  Illinois,  we  might  well 
be  silent,  and  suffer  the  awful  voices  of  the  time  to  thunder  to  us. 
Yes,  but  that  first  despair  was  brief;  the  man  was  not  so  to  be 
mourned.  He  was  the  most  active  and  hopeful  of  men,  and  his 
work  had  not  perished;  but  acclamations  of  praise  for  the  task  he 


FUNERAL  SERVICES  IN  OTHER  CITIES.  147 

had  accomplished  burst  out  into  a  song  of  triumph,  which  even 
tears  for  his  death  cannot  keep  down. 

The  President  stood  before  us  a  man  of  the  people.  He  was 
thoroughly  American,  had  never  crossed  the  sea,  had  never  been 
spoiled  by  English  insularity  or  French  dissipation;  a  quiet  native, 
aboriginal  man,  as  an  acorn  from  the  oak;  no  aping  of  foreigners, 
no  frivolous  accomplishments,  Kentuckian  born,  working  on  a  farm, 
a  flatboatman,  a  captain  in  the  Blackhawk  war,  a  country  lawyer, 
a  representative  in  the  rural  Legislature  of  Illinois — on  such  modest 
foundations  the  broad  structure  of  his  fame  was  laid.  How  slowly, 
and  yet  by  happily  prepared  steps,  he  came  to  his  place  I 

All  of  us  remember — it  is  only  a  history  of  five  or  six  years — the 
surprise  and  disappointment  of  the  country  at  his  first  nomination 
at  Chicago.  Mr.  Seward,  then  in  the  culmination  of  his  good  fame, 
was  the  favorite  of  the  Eastern  States.  And  when  the  new  and 
comparatively  unknown  name  of  Lincoln  was  announced  (notwith 
standing  the  report  of  the  acclamations  of  that  Convention)  we 
heard  the  result  coldly  and  sadly. 

It  seemed  too  rash,  on  a  purely  local  reputation,  to  build  so  grave 
a  trust,  in  such  anxious  times ;  and  men  naturally  talked  of  the 
chances  in  politics  as  incalculable.  But  it  turned  out  not  to  be 
chance.  The  profound  good  opinion  which  the  people  of  Illinois 
and  of  the  West  had  conceived  of  him,  and  which  they  had  imparted 
to  their  colleagues,  that  they  also  might  justify  themselves  to  their 
constituents  at  home,  was  not  rash,  though  they  did  not  begin  to 
know  the  richness  of  his  worth. 

A  plain  man  of  the  people,  an  extraordinary  fortune  attended 
him.  Lord  Bacon  says  :  "Manifest  virtues  procure  reputation;  oc 
cult  ones,  fortune."  He  offered  no  shining  qualities  at  the  first  en 
counter:  he  did  not  offend  by  superiority.  He  had  a  face  and  man 
ner  which  disarmed  suspicion,  which  inspired  confidence,  which 
confirmed  good-will.  He  was  a  man  without  vices.  He  had  a 
strong  sense  of  duty,  which  it  was  very  easy  for  him  to  obey. 
Then  he  had  what  farmers  call  a  long  head ;  was  excellent  in  work 
ing  out  the  sum  for  himself,  in  arguing  his  case,  and  convincing 
you  fairly  and  firmly. 

Then  it  turned  out  that  he  was  a  great  worker;  had  prodigious 
faculty  of  performance;  worked  easily.  A  good  worker  is  so  rare; 
everybody  has  some  disabling  quality.  In  a  host  of  young  men 
that  start  together,  and  promise  so  many  brilliant  leaders  for  the 
next  age,  each  fails  on  trial:  one  by  bad  health,  one  by  conceit  or 
by  love  of  pleasure,  or  by  lethargy,  or  by  a  hasty  temper — each 
has  some  disqualifying  fault  that  throws  him  out  of  the  career  But 


14:8  LINCOLN  MEMORIAL. 

this  man  was  sound  to  the  core,  cheerful,  persistent,  all  right  for 
*labor,  and  liked  nothing  so  well. 

Then  he  had  a  vast  good-nature,  which  made  him  tolerant  and 
accessible  to  all;  fair-minded,  leaning  to  the  claim  of  the  petitioner; 
affable,  and  not  sensible  to  the  affliction  which  the  innumerable 
visits  paid  to  him,  when  President,  would  have  brought  to  any  one 
else.  And  how  this  good-nature  became  a  noble  humanity,  in  many 
a  tragic  case  which  the  events  of  the  war  brought  to  him,  every 
one  will  remember;  and  with  what  increasing  tenderness  he  dealt, 
when  a  whole  race  was  thrown  on  his  compassion.  The  poor  negro 
said  of  him,  on  an  impressive  occasion,  "  Massa  Linkum  am  ebery- 
where." 

Then  his  broad  good-humor,  running  easily  into  jocular  talk,  in 
which  he  delighted  and  in  which  he  excelled,  was  a  rich  gift  to  this 
wise  man.  It  enabled  him  to  keep  his  secret;  to  meet  every  kind 
of  man,  and  every  rank  in  society;  to  take  off  the  edge  of  the  se 
verest  decisions ;  to  mask  his  own  purpose  and  sound  his  companion, 
and  to  catch  with  true  instinct  the  temper  of  every  company  he  ad 
dressed.  And,  more  than  all,  it  is  to  a  man  of  severe  labor,  in  anx 
ious  and  exhausting  crises,  the  natural  restorative,  good  as  sleep, 
and  is  the  protection  of  the  overdriven  brain  against  rancor  and  in 
sanity. 

He  is  the  author  of  a  multitude  of  good  sayings,  so  disguised  as 
pleasantries  that  it  is  certain  they  had  no  reputation  at  first  but  as 
jests ;  and  only  later,  by  the  very  acceptance  and  adoption  they  find 
in  the  mouths  of  millions,  turn  out  to  be  the  wisdom  of  the  hour.  I 
am  sure  if  this  man  had  ruled  in  a  period  of  less  facility  of  printing, 
he  would  have  become  mythological  in  a  very  few  years,  like  JSsop 
or  Pilpay,  or  one  of  the  Seven  Wise  Masters,  by  his  fables  and  pro 
verbs. 

But  the  weight  and  penetration  of  many  passages  in  his  letters, 
messages,  and  speeches,  hidden  now  by  the  very  closeness  of  their 
application  to  the  moment,  are  destined  hereafter  to  a  wide  fame. 
What  pregnant  definitions;  what  unerring  common  sense;  what 
foresight;  and,  on  great  occasions,  what  lofty,  and  more  than  na 
tional,  what  humane  tone  1  His  brief  speech  at  Gettysburg  will 
not  easily  be  surpassed  by  words  on  any  recorded  occasion.  This, 
and  one  other  American  speech,  that  of  John  Brown  to  the  court 
that  tried  him,  and  a  part  of  Kossuth's  speech  at  Birmingham,  can 
only  be  compared  with  each  other,  and  with  no  fourth. 

His  occupying  the  chair  of  State  was  a  triumph  of  the  good  sense 
of  mankind,  and  of  the  public  conscience.  This  middle-class  coun 
try  had  got  a  middle-class  President  at  last.  Yes,  in  manners,  sym- 


FUNERAL  SERVICES  IN  OTHER  CITIES.  14:9 

pathies,  but  not  in  powers,  for  his  powers  were  superior.  His  mind 
mastered  the  problem  of  the  day;  and,  as  the  problem  grew,  so  did 
his  comprehension  of  it.  Rarely  was  man  so  fitted  to  the  event. 
In  the  midst  of  fears  and  jealousies,  in  the  Babel  of  counsels  and 
parties,  this  man  wrought  incessantly  with  all  his  might  and  all 
his  honesty,  laboring  to  find  what  the  people  wanted,  and  how  to 
obtain  that. 

It  cannot  be  said  there  is  any  exaggeration  of  his  worth.  If 
ever  a  man  was  fairly  tested  he  was.  There  was  no  lack  of  resist- 
ince,  nor  of  slander,  nor  of  ridicule.  The  times  have  allowed  no 
State  secrets;  the  nation  has  been  in  such  a  ferment,  such  multi 
tudes  had  to  be  trusted,  that  no  secret  could  be  kept.  Every  door 
was  ajar,  and  we  know  all  that  befell. 

Then  what  an  occasion  was  the  whirlwind  of  the  war!  Here 
was  place  for  no  holiday  magistrate,  no  fair-weather  sailor;  the  new 
pilot  was  hurried  to  the  helm  in  a  tornado.  In  four  years — the  four 
years  of  battle-days — his  endurance,  his  fertility  of  resources,  his 
magnanimity,  were  sorely  tried  and  never  found  wanting. 

There,  by  his  courage,  his  justice,  his  even  temper,  his  fertile  counsel, 
his  humanity,  he  stood  an  heroic  figure  in  the  centre  of  an  heroic  epoch. 
He  is  the  true  history  of  the  American  people  in  his  time.  Step  by 
step  he  walked  before  them;  slow  with  their  slowness,  quickening 
his  march  by  theirs;  the  true  representative  of  this  continent;  an 
entirely  public  man;  father  of  his  country,  the  pulse  of  twenty  mil 
lions  throbbing  in  his  heart,  the  thought  of  their  minds  articulated 
by  his  tongue.  . 

Adarn  Smith  remarks  that  the  axe;  which,  in  Houbraken's  por 
traits  of  British  kings  and  worthies,  is  engraved  under  those  who 
have  suffered  at  the  block,  adds  a  certain  lofty  charm  to  the  picture. 
And  who  does  not  see,  even  in  this  tragedy  so  recent,  how  fast  the 
terror  and  ruin  of  the  massacre  are  already  burning  into  glory 
around  the  victim?  Far  happier  this  fate  than  to  have  lived  to  be 
wished  away;  to  have  watched  the  decay  of  his  own  faculties;  to 
have  seen — perhaps,  even  he — the  proverbial  ingratitude  of  states 
men;  to  have  seen  mean  men  preferred. 

Had  he  not  lived  long  enough  to  keep  the  greatest  promise  that 
ever  man  made  to  his  fellow-men — the  practical  abolition  of  slavery  ? 
He  had  seen  Tennessee,  Missouri,  and  Maryland  emancipate  their 
slaves.  He  had  seen  Savannah,  Charleston,  and  Richmond  surren 
dered;  had  seen  the  main  army  of  the  rebellion  lay  down  its  arms. 
He  had  conquered  the  public  opinion  of  Canada,  England,  and 
France.  Only  Washington  can  compare  with  him  in  fortune. 

And  what  if  it  should  turn  out,  in  the  unfolding  of  the  web,  that 


150  LINCOLN  MEMORIAL. 

lie  had  reached  the  term;  that  this  heroic  deliverer  could  no  long-er 
serve  us;  that  the  rebellion  had  touched  its  natural  conclusion,  and 
what  remained  to  be  done  required  new  and  uncommitted  hands — 
a  new  spirit  born  out  of  the  ashes  of  the  war;  and  that  Heaven, 
wishing  to  show  the  world  a  completed  benefactor,  shall  make  him 
serve  his  country  even  more  by  death  than  by  his  life.  Nations, 
like  kings,  are  not  good  by  facility  and  complaisance.  "  The  kind 
ness  of  kings  consists  in  justice  and  strength."  Easy  good-nature 
has  been  the  dangerous  foible  of  the  Republic,  and  it  was  necessary 
that  its  enemies  should  outrage  it,  and  drive  us  to  unwonted  firm 
ness,  to  secure  the  salvation  of  this  country  in  the  next  ages. 

The  ancients  believed  in  a  serene  and  beautiful  Genius  which 
ruled  in  the  affairs  of  nations;  which,  with  a  slow  but  stern  justice, 
carried  forward  the  fortunes  of  certain  chosen  houses,  weeding  out 
single  offenders  or  offending  families,  and  securing  at  last  the  firm 
prosperity  of  the  favorites  of  Heaven.  It  was  too  narrow  a  view 
of  the  Eternal  Nemesis.  There  is  a  serene  Providence  which  rules 
the  fate  of  nations,  which  makes  little  account  of  time,  little  of  one 
generation  or  race,  makes  no  account  of  disasters,  conquers  alike 
by  what  is  called  defeat  or  by  what  is  called  victory,  thrusts  aside 
enemy  and  obstructions,  crushes  every  thing  immoral  as  inhuman, 
and  obtains  the  ultimate  triumph  of  the  best  race  by  the  sacrifice 
of  every  thing  which  resists  the  moral  laws  of  the  world.  It  makes 
its  own  instruments,  creates  the  man  for  the  time,  trains  him  in 
poverty,  inspires  his  genius,  and  arms  him  for  his  task.  It  has 
given  every  race  its  own  talent,  and  ordains  that  only  that  race 
which  combines  perfectly  with  the  virtues  of  all  shall  endure. 

In  New  York,  fitting  remarks  and  discourses  were  delivered 
at  the  service  by  Bishop  Coxe,  at  Calvary  Church  ;  Rev.  Dr. 
Dix,  at  Trinity  Church,  in  the  presence  of  General  Dix  and 
Governor  Fenton  ;  Archbishop  McCloskey  at  the  Cathedral ;  by 
Dr.  Cheever,  at  the  Church  of  the  Puritans  ;  Rev.  Dr.  Osgood, 
at  the  Church  of  the  Messiah  ;  Rev.  Dr.  Chapin,  Rev.  M.  R. 
Deleeuw,  at  the  Synagogue  Bnai  Israel,  and  others  in  various 
parts. 

The  assemblies  were  not  confined  to  the  churches.  Public 
bodies  also  met,  and  Parke  Godwin,  Esq.,  delivered  at  the 
Athenaeum  Club  an  address  worthy  of  preservation. 

"  How  grand  and  how  glorious,  yet  how  terrible,  the  times  in 
which  we  are  permitted  to  live!  How  profound  and  various  the 
emotions  that  alternately  depress  and  thrill  our  hearts,  like  these 


FUNERAL  SERVICES  IN  OTHER  CITIES.  151 

April  skies— now  all  smiles,  and  now  all  tears.  Within  a  week — 
the  Holy  Week,  as  it  is  called  in  the  rubrics  of  our  churches — we 
have  had  our  triumphal  entries,  amid  the  waving  of  the  palms  of 
Peace;  we  have  had  our  dread  Friday  of  crucifixion;  we  have  had, 
too,  in  the  recently  renewed  patriotism  of  tEe  nation,  a  resurrection 
of  a  new  and  better  life ! 

"  It  seems  but  a  day  or  two  since  we  listened  to  the  music  of  the 
glad  and  festival  parade;  we  saw  the  banners  of  our  pride  waving 
in  beauty  to  every  air,  their  stars  brighter  than  the  stars  of  the 
morning,  and  their  rays  of  white  and  red,  like  the  beams  of  the 
rainbow,  telling  that  the  tempest  was  passed  ;  we  pressed  hands 
and  hurrahed,  and  grew  almost  delirious  with  the  joy  that  Peace 
had  come,  that  Unity  was  secured,  that  Liberty  and  Justice,  like  the 
cherubim  of  the  ark,  would  stretch  their  wings  over  the  altars  of 
our  Country  and  stand  forever  as  the  guardian  angels  of  her  sanc 
tity  and  glory. 

"But  now  those  exultant  strains  are  changed  into  the  dull  and* 
heavy  toll  of  bells  ;  those  flags  are  folded  and  draped  in  the 
emblems  of  mourning;  and  our  hearts,  giving  forth  no  more  the 
cheering  shouts  of  victory,  are  despondent  and  full  of  sadness. 

"  The  great  captain  of  our  cause — the  commander-iu-chief  of  oui 
armies  and  navies — the  president  of  our  civic  councils — the  centre 
and  director  of  movement — this  true  son  of  the  people — once  the 
poor  flatboatman — the  village  lawyer  that  was — the  raw,  uncouth, 
yet  unsophisticated  child  of  our  American  society  and  institutions, 
whom  that  society  and  those  institutions  had  lifted  out  of  his  low 
estate  to  the  foremost  dignity  of  the  world — Abraham  Lincoln — 
smitten  by  the  basest  hand  ever  upraised  against  human  innocence, 
is  gone,  gone,  gone!  He  who  had  borne  the  heaviest  of  the  brunt, 
in  our  four  long  years  of  war,  whose  pulse  beat  livelier,  whose  eyes 
danced  brighter  than  any  others,  when 

"  the  storm  drew  off, 

In  scattered  thunders  groaning  round  the  hills," 

in  the  supreme  hour  of  his  joy  and  glory  was  struck  down.  That 
genial,  kindly  heart  has  ceased  to  beat;  that  noble  brain  has  oozed 
from  its  mysterious  beds;  that  manly  form  lies  stiff  in  the  icy 
fetters,  and  all  of  him  that  was  mortal  has  sunk  '  to  the  portion  of 
weeds  and  outworn  faces.' 

"Our  feelings  are  now  too  deep  to  ask  or  warrant  any  attempt 
at  an  analysis  of  the  character  or  of  the  services  of  the  man  whose 
loss  we  deplore.  Standing  over  his  bier,  looking  down  almost  into 
the  tomb  to  which  he  must  shortly  be  consigned,  we  are  consciou  \ 
only  of  our  grief.  We  know  that  one  who  was  great  in  himself,  as 


152  LINCOLN  MEMORIAL. 

well  as  by  position,  has  suddenly  departed.  There  is  something 
startling,  ghastly,  awful  in  the  manner  of  his  going  off.  But  the 
chief  poignancy  of  our  distress  is  not  for  the  greatness  fallen,  but 
for  the  goodness  lost.  Presidents  have  died  before;  during  this 
bloody  war  we  have  lost  many  eminent  generals — Lyons,  Baker, 
Kearney,  Sedgwick,  Reno,  and  others;  we  have  lost  lately  our 
finest  scholar,  publicist,  orator, 

'  that  when  lie  spoke, 

The  air,  a  chartered  libertine,  was  still, 
To  steal  his  sweet  and  honeyed  sentences.' 

Our  hearts  still  bleed  for  the  companions,  friends,  brothers,  that 
sleep  the  sleep  '  that  knows  no  waking,'  but  no  loss  has  been  com 
parable  to  his,  who  was  our  supremest  leader — our  safest  coun 
sellor — our  wisest  friend — our  dear  father.  Would  you  know  what 
Lincoln  was,  look  at  this  vast  metropolis,  covered  with  the  ha 
biliments  of  woe  !  Never  in  human  history  has  there  been  so  uni 
versal,  so  spontaneous,  so  profound  an  expression  of  a  nation's  be 
reavement.  In  all  our  churches,  without  distinction  of  sect;  in  all 
our  journals,  without  distinction  of  party;  in  all  our  workshops,  in 
all  our  counting-houses — from  the  stateliest  mansion  to  the  lowliest 
hovel — you  hear  but  the  one  utterance,  you  see  but  the  one  emblem 
of  sorrow.  Why  has  the  death  of  Abraham  Lincoln  taken  such 
deep  hold  of  every  class  ?  Partly,  no  doubt,  because  of  the  awful 
and  atrocious  method  of  his  taking  off ;  largely  because  he  was  our 
Chief  Magistrate;  but  mainly,  I  think,  because  through  all  his  pub 
lic  functions  there  shone  the  fact  that  he  was  a  wrise  and  good  man ; 
a  kindly,  honest,  noble  man;  a  man  in  whom  the  people  recognized 
their  own  better  qualities ;  whom  they,  whatever  their  political  con 
victions,  trusted;  whom  they  respected;  whom  they  loved;  a  man 
as  pure  of  heart,  as  patriotic  of  impulse,  as  patient,  gentle,  sweet 
and  lovely  of  nature,  as  ever  history  lifted  out  of  the  sphere  of  the 
domestic  afflictions  to  enshrine  forever  in  the  affections  of  the 
world. 

"  Yet,  we  sorrow  not  as  those  who  are  without  hope.  Our  chief 
is  gone;  but  our  cause  remains;  dearer  to  our  hearts,  because  he  is 
now  become  its  martyr;  consecrated  by  his  sacrifice;  more  widely 
accepted  by  all  parties ;  and  fragrant  and  lovely  forevermore  in  the 
memories  of  all  the  good  and  the  great,  of  all  lands,  and  for  all 
time.  The  rebellion,  which  began  in  the  blackest  treachery,  to  be 
ended  in  the  foulest  assassination — for  as  Shakspeare  says, 

'  Treason  and  murder  ever  kept  together, 
As  two  yoke-devils  sworn  to  cither's  purpose' — 


FUNERAL  SERVICES  IN  OTHER  CITIES.  153 

this  rebellion,  accursed  in  its  motive,  which  was  to  rivet  the 
shackles  of  slavery  on  a  whole  race  for  all  the  future ;  accursed  in 
its  means,  which  have  been  '  red  ruin  and  the  breaking  up  of 
laws,'  the  overthrow  of  the  mildest  and  blessedest  of  governments, 
and  the  profuse  shedding  of  brother's  blood  by  brother's  hands; 
accursed  in  its  accompaniments  of  violence,  cruelty,  and  bar 
barism,  is  now  doubly  accursed  in  its  final  act  of  cold-blooded 
murder. 

"Cold-blooded,  but  impotent,  and  defeated  in  its  own  purposes! 
The  frenzied  hand  which  slew  the  head  of  the  government,  in  the 
mad  hope  of  paralyzing  its  functions,  only  drew  the  hearts  of  the 
people  together  more  closely  to  strengthen  and  sustain  its  power. 
All  the  North  once  more,  without  party  or  division,  clenches  hands 
around  the  common  altar;  all  the  North  swears  a  more  earnest 
fidelity  to  Freedom ;  all  the  North  again  presents  its  breasts,  as  the 
living  shield  and  bulwark  of  the  nation's  unity  and  life.  Oh !  foolish 
and  wicked  dream,  oh!  insanity  of  fanaticism!  oh!  blindness  of 
black  hate — to  think  that  this  majestic  temple  of  human  liberty, 
which  is  built  upon  the  clustered  columns  of  free  and  independent 
States,  and  whose  base  is  as  broad  as  the  continent — could  be 
shaken  to  pieces  by  striking  off  the  ornaments  of  its  capital!  No! 
this  nation  lives,  not  in  one  man  nor  in  a  hundred  men,  however 
eminent,  however  able,  however  endeared  to  us;  but  in  the  affec 
tions,  the  virtues,  the  energies,  and  the  will  of  the  whole  American 
people.  It  has  perpetual  succession,  not  like  a  dynasty,  in  the  line 
of  its  rulers,  but  in  the  line  of  its  masses.  They  are  always  alive; 
they  are  always  present,  to  empower  its  acts,  and  to  impart  an  un 
ceasing  vitality  to  its  institutions.  No  maniac's  blade,  no  traitor's 
bullet  shall  ever  penetrate  that  heart,  for  H  is  immortal,  like  the 
substance  of  Milton's  angels,  and  can  onlj  '  by  annihilating  die.' 

"These  sudden  visitations  of  Providence;  these  mysterious  and 
fearful  vicissitudes  in  the  destinies  of  nations  and  individuals,  al 
ways  seem  to  our  shortsighted  human  wisdom  as  inscrutable.  Nor 
would  it  be  less  than  presumption  in  any  one  to  attempt  to  inter 
pret  the  meaning  of  the  Divine  Mind  in  this  late  and  most  appalling 
affliction.  God,  as  he  passes,  the  Scriptures  tell  us,  can  only  be 
seen  from  behind,  can  only  be  seen  when  events  have  gone  by. 
Until  then  we  grope  in  the  darkness,  we  guess  at  best  but  dimly 
we  more  often  muse  in  mere  mute  wonder  and  awe.  Yet  it  is  al 
ways  permitted  us  to  extract  such  good  as  we  may  from  His  seem 
ing  frowns  and  judgments.  Thus  I  discern,  in  the  removal  of  Mr. 
Lincoln — lamentable  and  horrible  as  it  was  in  its  circumstances — 
some  reasons  for  a  calm  and  hopeful  submission  to  the  Divine  will. 


154  LINCOLN  MEMORIAL. 

I  can  see  how  our  nation  is  cemented  by  its  tears  into  a  more  uni 
versal  and  affectionate  brotherhood  ;  I  can  see  how  the  Proclama 
tion  of  Freedom  must  become  the  eternal  law  of  our  hearts,  if  not 
of  the  land,  through  the  martyrdom  and  canonization  of  its  author; 
I  can  see  how  the  atrocious  crime  of  assassination  must  tear  away 
from  the  rebellion  every  friend  that  it  had  left  in  the  civilized  world 
abroad ;  and  I  can  see  how  the  succession  of  Mr.  Johnson — a  South 
ern  man,  known  to  the  Southern  people  by  the  fact  of  his  origin 
and  principles,  not  amenable  to  the  prejudices  knotted  and  gnarled 
about  Mr.  Lincoln — shall  undermine  the  supremacy  of  the  Southern 
leaders  and  reconcile  the  deluded  masses  more  rapidly  than  any 
acts  of  amnesty  or  promises  of  forgiveness. 

"  But  what  impresses  me  most  forcibly  in  all  this  business  is  the 
new  demonstration  that  it  has  given  of  the  inherent  strength  and 
elasticity  of  democratic  government.  We  have  conducted  the  most 
stupendous  war  ever  undertaken — a  war  that  involved  the  blockade 
of  six  thousand  miles  of  sea-coast — the  defence  of  two  thousand 
miles  of  frontier — the  clearing  and  holding  of  the  second  largest 
river  of  the  globe  and  the  occupation  of  a  territory  greater  than  all 
Europe  (without  Russia),  not  only  energetically,  but  successfully. 
We  have  done  it,  without  abandoning,  or  vitiating,  or  dislocating, 
any  of  our  fundamental  institutions.  For,  in  the  midst  of  this  gi 
gantic  convulsion,  we  carried  on  a  political  canvass  and  a  Presi 
dential  election  as  quietly  as  they  choose  a  beadle  or  a  church 
warden  elsewhere  ;  and  now  we  have  our  principal  men  of  office 
killed  or  disabled,  and  the  government  goes  on  without  a  jar,  and 
society  moves  in  its  appointed  ways  without  a  ripple  of  outbreak 
or  disorder.  Oh  yes,  Americans,  our  goodly  Ship  of  State,  which 
the  tempests  assail  with  their  wild  fury,  which  the  angry  surges 
lift  in  their  arms  that  they  may  drop  her  into  the  yawning  gulf, 
which  the  treacherous  hidden  rocks  below  grind  and  torture,  yet 
sails  on  securely  to  her  destined  port;  and  when  the  very  Prince  of 
the  Power  of  the  Air  smites  her  captain  at  the  helm  and  the  first 
mate  in  his  berth,  she  still  sails  on  securely  to  her  destined  port; 
for  her  crew  is  still  there ;  they  know  her  bearings,  and  will  steer 
right  on  by  the  compass  of  Eternal  Justice,  and  under  the  celestial 
light  of  Liberty." 

In  Brooklyn,  besides  the  services  in  the  various  churches  of 
all  denominations,  a  funeral  procession  of  the  German  Turn- 
verein  Saengerbund  and  other  societies,  proceeded  from  the 
Turn  Hall  through  Grand-street,  Montrose  avenue,  and  other 
thoroughfares,  to  a  square  on  Bushwick  avenue,  where  a  meet- 


FUNERAL  SERVICES  IN  OTHER  CITIES.  155 

ing  was  organized  and  addresses  delivered,  by  Dr.  Duai,  Mr. 
Philip  Wagner,  and  others. 

In  Montreal,  G.  E.,  where  the  Mayor,  Mr.  J.  L.  Beaudry 
had  by  proclamation  invited  the  citizens  to  close  their  places  ot 
business,  "  as  a  tribute  of  respect  to  the  memory  of  the  late 
President  of  the  United  States,  and  of  sympathy  with  the 
bereaved  members  of  his  family,  and  also  as  an  expression  of 
the  deep  sorrow  and  horror  felt  by  the  citizens  of  Montreal  at 
the  atrocious  crime  by  which  the  President  came  to  an  untime 
ly  end,"  a  large  public  meeting  was  held,  in  which  addresses 
were  delivered  in  French  and  English,  by  Hon.  Messrs.  Dorion 
and  McGee. 

At  Quebec,  a  similar  proclamation  was  issued  by  the  Mayor, 
and  no  proclamation  was  ever  so  promptly  and  completely  re 
sponded  to.  Toronto,  Prescott,  and  other  Canadian  towns 
showed  similar  sympathy  with  the  neighboring  republic. 

San  Francisco  honored  the  day  by  the  grandest  procession 
ever  witnessed  on  the  Pacific  coast,  which  moved  through 
streets,  clad  in  the  habiliments  of  woe. 

In  the  South  even,  similar  marks  of  respect  were  paid.  A 
more  universal  demonstration  of  sorrow  was  not  made  in  an^ 
city  than  in  Memphis,  where  a  solemn  military  and  civic  pro 
cession,  numbering  20,000  persons,  formed  an  imposing  part  oi 
the  ceremony,  and  at  an  impromptu  meeting  eloquent  addresses 
were  delivered  by  General  Banks  and  General  Washburn. 

The  procession  at  Nashville,  which  had  a  splendid  funeral 
car  drawn  by  six  white  and  as  many  black  horses,  numbered 
upwards  of  15,000  persons,  among  them  Generals  Thomas, 
Rousseau,  Miller,  Whipple,  Fowler,  and  Donelson.  Over  ten 
thousand  troops  were  in  the  procession ;  and  besides  Governor 
Brownlow,  both  Houses  of  the  Legislature,  the  Quartermaster 
and  Commissary  Departments,  and  Fire  Department,  with 
their  machines  beautifully  dressed.  The  various  lodges  of 
Masons,  Odd  Fellows,  Eureka  and  Thalia  clubs,  the  Fenian 
Brotherhood  and  Agnomen  club,  also  swelled  the  list  of  so 
cieties.  Subsequently  appropriate  ceremonies  were  held  in  a 
field  in  the  suburbs.  Addresses  were  made  by  his  Excellency 
Governor  Brownlow,  Rev.  Mr.  Allen,  and  others. 

At  Little  Rock,  on  the  news,  the  Legislature  adjourned  and 
an  impressive  address  was  delivered  by  Senator  Snow. 


156  LINCOLN  MEMORIAL. 

At  Detroit,  on  the  25th  of  April,  the  obsequies  of  President 
Lincoln  were  performed  with  imposing  ceremonies.  The  pro 
cession  was  more  than  four  miles  in  length,  headed  by  detach 
ments  of  military,  followed  by  a  magnificent  funeral  car,  offi 
cers  of  the  army  and  navy,  officers  of  the  British  army,  the 
officers  of  the  State  and  City  Governments.  The  Canadian 
civil  officers,  the  public  schools,  Masons,  Odd  Fellows,  various 
benevolent  societies,  the  trades  unions,  and  German  societies 
also  participated.  The  ceremonies  concluded  with  an  oration 
by  Senator  Howard. 

New  Orleans  received  the  tidings  a  little  later,  and  the  city 
was  at  once  arrayed  in  mourning.  A  procession  on  the  22d 
moved  to  Lafayette  Square,  composed  of  the  Fire  Department, 
societies  and  citizens ;  and  an  immense  mass  of  people  moved 
with  calm  and  sorrowful  steps  to  the  vast  area.  Here,  after 
the  organization  of  the  meeting,  and  a  prayer  by  Rev.  Doctor 
Newman,  with  a  few  remarks  from  the  Chairman,  Judge  Whit- 
aker,  addresses  were  delivered  by  General  Banks  and  General 
Hurlbut.  The  following  is  that  of  General  Banks. 

MR.  PRESIDENT  AND  FELLOW-CITIZENS — It  is  only  since  my  arrival 
upon  this  platform  that  I  have  been  informed  of  the  part  I  am  ex 
pected  to  take  in  the  ceremonies  of  this  occasion,  and  could  wish  for 
longer  preparation,  with  the  view  of  doing  more  perfect  justice  to 
the  subject  of  the  hour,  but  in  accordance  with  the  wishes  of  your 
committee  I  will  proceed.  God  knows  why  it  is,  or  how  it  is,  or  for 
what  purpose  it  is,  that  we  have  been  summoned  here,  but  now,  indeed, 
can  we  feel  the  nothingness  of  man,  and  that  it  is  best  for  us  to  bow 
in  supplication  to  God  for  His  counsel  and  support.  The  language 
of  the  hour  is  that,  not  of  comment,  not  of  condolence,  not  of  con 
solation,  but  of  supplication,  and  we  should  stand  before  the  throne 
of  God  to-day,  in  sackcloth  and  in  ashes,  in  silent  petition  to  Him 
for  that  counsel  and  support. 

Human  plans  are  failures  ;  the  ideas  and  purposes  of  God  alone 
are  successful.  This  very  week  was  spontaneously  and  unanimously 
set  apart  by  the  American  people  as  a  season  for  thanksgiving  and 
joy,  for  the  great  relief  which  the  people  had  experienced  from  a 
terrible  war,  which  had  bereft  nearly  every  family  in  the  North  and 
South  of  its  dearest,  and  draped  nearly  every  family  altar  as  is  now 
draped  the  national  altar.  Suddenly  the  skies  were  brightened, 
and  universal  peace  was  accepted  by  the  nation  as  the  reward  of 
the  terrible  struggle  in  which  we  had  been  engaged.  The  opening 


FUNERAL  SERVICES  IN  OTHER  CITIES.  157 

of  the  Mississippi,  the  brilliant  victories  of  the  Army  of  the  Cum 
berland  in  1863,  the  fall  of  the  rebel  cities  upon  the  Atlantic  coast 
before  the  triumphant  march  of  Sherman,  the  surrender  of  Lee  to 
Grant,  and  the  occupation  of  Mobile  by  the  gallant  chieftain 
who  is  here  in  our  presence  to-day,  not  waiting  for  the  intel 
ligence  that  the  last  army  of  the  rebellion  had  surrendered  to 
the  glorious  Sherman — all  justified  the  assumption  that  God  had 
given  this  nation  permanent,  lasting,  honorable,  and  glorious  peace! 
But  while  we  were  preparing  for  the  announcement  by  the  officers  of 
the  Government  (always  behind  in  instincts  and  purposes  of  power, 
the  people  of  the  government),  unexpectedly,  in  the  twinkling  of  an 
eye — as  if  with  the  suddenness,  strength,  and  power  of  God — all  of 
us  lay  low  in  sorrow,  mourning,  and  despair.  I  believe  that  never 
before  in  human  history  were  a  people  so  horrified  as  by  the  announce 
ment  of  the  death  of  the  President,  and  the  fall  of  his  great  assistant 
in  council  and  action — the  Secretary  of  State.  We  know  not  why 
it  is,  but  we  have  the  great  consolation  to  say  that  we  believe  it  is 
for  good  to  our  nation.  Aye,  for  good  to  the  man  that  has  fallen 
as  our  Representative.  He  had  committed  no  crimes.  There  is  not 
a  man  on  the  continent  or  globe  that  will,  or  can  say,  that  Abraham 
Lincoln  was  his  enemy,  or  that  he  deserved  punishment  or  death  for 
his  individual  acts.  No,  Mr.  President,  it  was  because  he  represented 
us  that  he  died,  and  it  is  for  our  good  and  the  glory  of  our  nation 
that  God,  in  his  inscrutable  Providence,  has  been  pleased  to  do  this, 
while  for  the  late  President  it  is  the  great  crowning  act  and  security 
of  his  career.  To  die  is  "to  go  home" — to  go  to  our  Father  and  be 
relieved  from  sorrow,  care,  suffering,  labor,  and  from  danger;  but  to 
live,  aye,  sir,  to  live  is  the  great  punishment  inflicted  upon  man.  All 
that  we  can  ask  is  to  go  when  all  things  are  ready — when  duty  is  dis 
charged,  strength  exhausted,  and  the  triumph  effected ;  then  it  is  our 
joy  to  go  home  to  "  Our  Father,"  as  has  been  beautifully  said,  sir  : 

"  When  faith  is  strong  and  conscience  clear, 
And  words  of  peace  the  spirit  cheer, 
And  visioned  glories  then  appear, 
'Tisjoy — 'tis  triumph  then  to  die." 

God  has  given  our  great  leader  the  privilege  to  go  under  circum 
stances  like  this.  He  had  lived  his  time,  fought  his  fight,  and,  God 
be  thanked,  had  kept  the  faith.  Let  me  say  it  reverently,  that  for 
Abraham  Lincoln  to  live  was  for  Abraham  Lincoln  to  fall !  He  had 
ascended  to  the  highest  point — the  highest  culmination  of  human 
destiny :  to  be  better  and  greater  and  purer  he  must  leave  us  and 
go  to  the  bosom  of  God.  He  is  enjoying  the  highest  culmination  of 


158  LINCOLN  MEMORIAL. 

glory  that  God  has  given  in  his  wise  and  mysterious  dispensation 
for  the  human  family. 

Sir,  I  had  seen  him  but  little,  but  that  which  I  had  seen  stamped 
upon  my  heart  the  indelible  feeling  that  he  was  a  rare  man — not  a 
great  or  a  successful  man  ;  many  of  both  kinds  have  I  seen,  but  he 
was  a  rare  man,  who  believed  in  the  power  of  ideas  and  knew  that 
human  agencies  were  unable  to  control  or  direct  them.  In  the  dis 
pensation  of  what  men  call  power,  I  have  seen  Mr.  Lincoln  give  it 
to  the  right  and  left  as  if  of  no  consequence  at  all ;  and  when  re 
proached  for  doing  so,  I  have  heard  him  say,  "What  harm  did  this 
generous  confidence  of  men  do  me  ?"  I  have  seen,  amidst  the  hours 
of  trial,  his  manifestations  of  patience  and  confidence,  more  almost 
than  human,  until  I  had  come  to  believe  that  that  which  is  designed 
to  be  done  would  be  accomplished,  if  not  by  human  power,  at  least 
by  the  concurrent  action  and  support  and  will  of  God  ! 

Though  taken  from  us,  his  influence  is  still  here,  and  there  is  not 
a  man  in  this  assembly  to-day  who  is  not  more  impressed  with  his 
spirit  and  purpose  than  he  would  be  if  Abraham  Lincoln  were  living 
at  this  hour  ;  nor  is  there  a  man  here  to-day  who  is  not  a  disciple 
of  him  and  the  agent  of  his  works  forevermore.  We  may  indeed 
be  assured  that  his  great  purpose — the  Union,  first  of  all — will  be 
carried  out.  We  might  as  well  expect  the  Mississippi  to  turn  back 
at  its  mouth  and  seek  again  the  mountain  rivulets  and  springs,  as 
to  believe  that  human  power  is  to  sunder  the  States  of  the  Union. 
Abraham  Lincoln's  wisdom  and  patriotism  have  led  us  as  far  as 
human  effort  can  bring  us,  and  now  his  blood  cements  forever  the 
holy  Union  of  the  States. 

You  know,  fellow-citizens,  how  deeply  he  was  interested  in  the 
destinies  of  Louisiana.  No  friend  in  your  midst  ever  thought  so 
much  about  or  wished  so  much  for  your  good  as  the  late  President 
of  the  United  States  ;  and  it  was  among  the  first  wishes  of  his 
heart  that  the  prosperity  of  its  people,  the  liberty  of  all  its  races,  and 
their  elevation,  should  be  perfected  during  his  administration,  or,  as 
he  said  in  one  of  his  letters  to  me,  "My  word  is  out  for  these 
things,  and  I  don't  intend  to  turn  back  from  it."  It  is  not  for  me 
to  act  or  speak  in  the  spirit  of  prophecy,  but  I  can  say  to  you 
that  I  believe  his  wish  will  be  consummated  by  the  return  of  Louisi 
ana  to  the  Union,  the  honor,  freedom,  and  elevation  of  all  classes 
of  its  people. 

To  the  colored  people  of  this  assembly  and  State,  as  well  as  of  the 
Union,  I  can  say  that  the  work  in  which  he  was  engaged  will  go 
on,  and  that  the  day  is  not  far  distant  when  they  will  enjoy  the  free 
dom  that  God  and  the  people  have  given  them,  and  also  be  advanced 


FUNERAL  SERVICES  IN  OTHER  CITIES.  159 

to  all  the  privileges  that  under  the  Constitution  of  our  country,  or 
that  of  any  other,  God  has  deigned  to  bestow  upon  any  class  of 
people.  But  they  must  remember  that  they  have  a  work  to  do,  and 
that  while  God  is  just  to  all  his  people,  he  requires  that  they  shall 
be  just  to  Him.  You  shall  be  free,  and  invested  with  all  the  priv 
ileges  of  which  men  are  capable  of  wise  and  proper  exercise,  for 
Abraham  Lincoln's  word  is  out! 

It  is  not  my  right  to  suggest  a  word  of  counsel  or  advice  for  the 
future,  but  I  have  the  right  to  say  that  there  is  one  man  who  seeks 
your  prayers  and  desires  your  counsel.  It  is  he  who  has  been  re 
cently  inaugurated,  unexpectedly — and  distrustfully,  as  we  are 
told — President  of  these  United  States.  Though  a  President  has 
gone,  we  must  sustain  the  President  that  remains.  I  look  upon  the 
State  of  Tennessee,  from  which  he  comes,  as  being  the  centre  of  the 
great  arch  of  the  Union  :  midway  between  the  South  and  North, 
with  the  climate  of  the  one  and  the  other,  its  soil  susceptible  of  pro 
ducing  the  products  of  both  sections,  it  calls  for  all  the  considera 
tion  that  either  section  of  the  country  can  demand  for  its  people.  Its 
political  character  and  structure  has  the  same  variety  and  connection 
with  the  destinies  of  our  country,  and  for  thirty  years  has  been  more 
closely  contested  in  political  struggles  than  any  other  State  of  the 
Union.  Its  vote  has  decided  many  issues,  and  great  men  have  repre 
sented  its  interests  and  destinies,  and  it  has  given  us  two  Presidents, 
whose  administrations  have  been  identified  closely,  not  only  with  the 
existence,  but  with  the  extension  and  interest  of  our  country.  Jack 
son,  with  his  mailed  arm,  struck  disunion  down  at  its  first  appear 
ance,  and  adapted  the  policy  of  the  country  to  its  need.  Polk  con 
firmed  the  policy  of  Jackson,  and  extended  the  boundaries  of  our 
happy  land  until  it  reached  from  the  Atlantic  to  the  Pacific  coast. 
Among  the  great  men  of  place  we  have  had  Benton,  Houston,  Bell, 
Foster,  and  hundreds  of  others  whose  names  are  known,  arid  who 
have  been  and  are  connected  indissolubly  with  the  happiness  and  lib 
erty  of  our  people.  From  amid  these  men  the  new  President  has 
been  called.  Among  them  he  has  grown,  and  from  their  teachings  has 
he  been  instructed.  His  life  has  been  one  of  activity,  energy,  and 
integrity.  Character  is  not  made  in  a  day;  it  will  never  be  forfeited 
in  an  hour.  Our  lamented  President,  if  he  could  advise  us,  would 
counsel  us  to  sustain  the  Government  and  those  left  to  take  his  place; 
and  we  are  assured  that  the  two  great  officers  then  at  the  head  of 
the  nation — a  few  days  before  the  departure  of  the  first  and  greatest 
— upon  full  consultation,  found  that  they  had  perfectly  concurrent 
views,  and  separated  with  the  confidence  that  each  wished  the 
prosperity  and  success  of  the  other.  Let  us  then  accept  this  dayf 


160  LINCOLN  MEMORIAL. 

its  grief,  and  the  lesson  which  it  imparts,  and  be  more  than  ever  de 
termined,  in  the  presence  of  God,  and  with  the  ability  and  power  He 
has  given  us,  to  do  our  duty  to  our  country,  by  maintaining  its  in 
stitutions  and  perpetuating  its  principles  and  liberties. 


VI. 
WASHINGTON  TO  SPRINGFIELD, 


BHEOTTD  the  banner !  rear  the  cross ! 
Consecrate  a  nation's  loss;     • 
Gaze  on  that  majestic  sleep, 
Stand  beside  his  bier  to  weep; 
Lay  the  gentle  son  of  Toil 
Proudly  in  his  native  soil; 
Crowned  with  honor,  to  his  rest 
Bear  the  Prophet  of  the  West! 


How  cold  the  brow  that  yet  doth  wear 
The  impress  of  a  nation's  care  I 
How  still  the  heart  whose  every  beat 
Glowed  with  compassion's  sacred  heat ! 
Eigid  the  lips  whose  patient  smile- 
Duty's  stern  task  would  oft  beguile ; 
Blood-quenched  the  pensive  eye's  soft  light, 
Nerveless  the  hand  so  slow  to  smite ; 
So  meek  in  rule,  it  leads,  though  dead, 
The  people  as  in  life  it  led. 


Oh !  let  his  wise  and  gentle  sway 
Win  every  recreant  to-day. 
And  sorrow's  vast  and  holy  wave 
Blend  all  our  hearts  around  his  grave! 
Let  the  traitor's  craven  fears, 
Let  the  faithful  bondsmen's  tears, 
And  the  People's  grief  and  pride 
Plead  against  the  parricide ! 
Let  us  throng  to  pledge  and  pray 
Around  the  patriot-martyr's  clay  ; 
Then  with  solemn  faith  in  Eight, 
That  made  him  victor  in  the  fight, 
Cling  to  the  path  he  fearless  trod, 
Still  radiant  with  the  smile  or"  God. 


Shroud  the  banner!  rear  the  cross! 
Consecrate  a  nation's  loss ! 
Gaze  on  that  majestic  sleep, 
Stand  beside  his  bier  to  weep ; 
Lay  the  gentle  son  of  Toil, 
Proudly  in  his  native  soil ; 
Crowned  with  honor  to  his  rest, 
Bear  the  Prophet  of  the  West  I 

Henry 'T.  Tuck&rman. 


VI. 

FUNERAL  CORTEGE    FROM    WASHINGTON  TO 
SPRINGFIELD. 


DEPARTURE  .  FROM  WASHINGTON,  APRIL  21sT. 

THE  body  of  President  Lincoln  was  exposed  to  public  view 
in  the  Capitol  during  the  20th,  and  so  constant  and  numerous 
was  the  crowd  which  pressed  forward  all  that  dreary  rainy  day 
to  gaze  for  the  last  time  on  the  sad  face  so  familiarized  during 
the  four  years,  that  the  Rotunda  was  kept  open  from  six  in  the 
morning  till  nine  o'clock  at  night. 

Among  the  twenty-five  thousand  who  passed  before  the  coffin 
were  thousands  of  soldiers,  some  of  whom  hobbled  from  the 
hospitals  where  they  had  long  been  confined,  to  look  once  more 
on  their  late  Commander-in-chief. 

The  hour  of  closing  found  some  thousands  who  had  waited 
for  hours  in  vain. 

The  guard  of  honor,  yhich  had  been  on  duty  all  day,  was 
relieved  by  Brigadier-General  James  A.  Ekin,  and  Major  D. 
C.  Welsh  and  Captain  Joseph  T.  Powers,  of  hjs  staff;  and 
Brigadier-General  James  A.  Hall,  and  Captain  E.  H.  JSTevin, 
Jr.,  and  Lieutenant  Terence  Riley,  of  his  staff,  who  stayed 
with  the  remains  during  the  night.  And  at  six  o'clock  in  the 
morning,  Hon.  E.  M.  Stanton,  Secretary  of  War ;  Hon.  J.  P. 
Usher,  Secretary  of  the  Interior ;  Hon.  Gideon  Welles,  Secre 
tary  of  the  Navy ;  Hon.  William  Dennison,  Postmaster-Gen 
eral  ;  Hon.  J.  J.  Speed,  Attorney-General ;  Lieut.-Gen.  Grant, 
and  a  portion  of  his  staff,  Major-General  Meigs,  Eev.  Doctor 
Gurley,  and  several  Senators,  the  Illinois  delegation,  and  a 
number  of  officers  of  the  army,  arrived  at  the  Capitol  and  took 
a  last  look  at  the  face  of  the  deceased.  The  coffin  was  then 


164  LINCOLN  MEMORIAL. 

prepared  for  removal,  and  closed.  It  was  at  first  determined 
not  to  open  it  till  it  reached  Springfield,  but  subsequently  en 
treaties  induced  the  exposure  once  more  of  the  face  of  the  late 
ruler,  and  twelve  orderly  sergeants  were  called  in  to  carry  it  to 
the  hearse.  Rev.  Dr.  Gurley,  before  the  removal  of  the  re 
mains,  made  the  following  impressive  prayer  : 

Lord,  Thou  hast  been  our  dwelling  place  in  all  generations.  Be 
fore  the  mountains  were  brought  forth,  or  ever  Thou  hadst  formed 
the  earth  and  the  world,  even  from  everlasting  to  everlasting  Thou 
art  God.  Thou  turnest  man  to  destruction,  and  sayest,  Return,  ye 
children-  of  men.  We  acknowledge  Thy  hand  in  the  great  and  sud 
den  affliction  that  has  befallen  us  as  a  nation,  and  we  pray  that  in 
all  these  hours  and  scenes  of  sorrow  through  which  we  are  passing 
we  may  have  the  guidance  of  Thy  counsel  and  the  consolations  of 
Thy  spirit.  We  commit  to  thy  care  and  keeping  this  sleeping  dust 
of  our  fallen  Chief  Magistrate,  and  pray  Thee  to  watch  over  it  as 
it  passes  from  our  view  and  is  borne  to  its  final  resting-place  in  the 
soil  of  that  State  which  was  his  abiding  and  chosen  home.  And 
grant,  we  beseech  Thee,  that,  as  the  people  in  different  cities  and 
sections  of  the  land  shall  gather  around  this  coffin  and  look  upon 
the  fading  remains  of  the  man  they  loved  so  well,  their  love  for  the 
cause  in  which  he  fell  may  kindle  into  a  brighter,  intenser  flame, 
and,  while  their  tears  are  falling,  may  they  renew  their  vows  of 
eternal  fidelity  to  the  cause  of  justice,  liberty,  and  truth.  So  may 
this  great  bereavement  redound  to  Thy  glory  and  to  the  highest 
welfare  of  our  stricken  and  bleeding  country;  and  all  we  ask  is  in 
the  name  and  for  the  sake  of  Jesus  Christ,  our  blessed  Lord  and 
Redeemer.  Amen. 

The  remains  were  then  removed  by  a  detachment  of  the 
Quartermaster-General's  volunteers,  detailed  by  Brigadier-Gen 
eral  Rucker,  and  escorted  to  the  depot,  without  music,  by  the 
companies  of  Capts.  Cromee,  Bush,  Hildebrand,  and  Dillon,  of 
the  12th  Veteran  Reserve  Corps,  the  whole  under  the  com 
mand  of  Lieut.-Col.  Bell.  The  remains  were  followed  by 
Lieut-Gen.  Grant,  Gen.  Meigs,  Gen.  Hardie,  the  members  of 
the  Cabinet — Messrs.  Stanton,  Welles,  McCulloch,  Dennison, 
Usher,  and  Fields — and  other  distinguished  personages. 

At  the  depot  they  were  received  by  President  Johnson,  Hon. 
W.  T.  Dole,  Gen.  Barnard,  Gen.  Rucker,  Gen.  Townsend,  Gen. 
Howe,  Gen.  Ekin,  and  others,  and  placed  in  the  hearse-car,  to 


FROM  WASHINGTON  TO  SPRINGFIELD.  165 

which  the  remains  of  his  son  Willie  had  been  previously  re 
moved. 

The  12th  Yeteran  Reserve  Corps,  which  had  formed  the  es 
cort  to  the  depot,  was  ranged  in  line  in  front  of  the  building, 
and  guards  were  at  once  stationed  at  proper  points  to  prevent 
outside  parties  from  assembling  within  the  building  and  block 
ing  up  the  passage-ways.  None  were  admitted  except  those 
who  had  tickets  authorizing  them  to  go  with  the  remains,  Sen 
ators  and  members  of  Congress,  military  officers,  and  passen 
gers  who  intended  going  to  Baltimore  on  the  7.30  train. 

A  large  crowd  was  soon  assembled,  and  all  sorts  of  means 
were  devised  to  gain  access  to  the  depot  buildings,  but  they 
failed  to  succeed,  and  they  were  obliged  to  content  themselves 
with  a  distant  view  of  the  passage  of  the  funeral  train,  as  it 
moved  from  the  depot. 

A  few  minutes  before  eight  o'clock,  Capt.  Robert  Lincoln, 
son  of  the  President,  accompanied  by  two  relatives,  arrived  and 
took  his  seat  in  the  cars. 

Messrs.  Nicolay  and  Hay,  the  late  President's  private  secre 
taries,  arrived  a  few  moments  later  and  also  took  their  places. 

Twenty-one  first  sergeants,  of  the  7th,  9th,  10th,  12th,  14th, 
18th,  and  24th  Veteran  Reserve  Corps,  accompanied  the  re 
mains  as  a  guard. 

A  few  moments  before  eight  o'clock,  Rev.  Dr.  Gurley,  stand 
ing  upon  the  platform,  made  the  following  impressive  prayer : 

0  Lord  our  God,  strengthen  us  under  the  pressure  of  this  great 
national  sorrow  as  Thou  only  canst  strengthen  the  weak,  and  com 
fort  us  as  Thou  only  canst  comfort  the  sorrowing,  and  sanctify 
us  as  Thou  only  canst  sanctify  people  when  they  are  passing 
through  the  fiery  furnace  of  trial.  May  Thy  grace  abound  to  us 
according  to  our  need,  and  in  the  end  may  the  affliction  that  now 
fills  our  hearts  with  sadness  and  our  eyes  with  tears,  work  for  us  a 
far  more  exceeding  and  eternal  weight  of  glory. 

And  now  may  the  God  of  Peace  that  brought  again  from  the 
dead  our  Lord  Jesus,  that  great  Shepherd  of  the  sheep,  through 
the  blood  of  the  everlasting  covenant,  make  you  perfect  in  every 
good  work  to  do  His  will,  working  in  you  that  which  is  well-pleas 
ing'  in  his  sight,  through  Jesus  Christ,  the  Resurrection  and  the  Life, 
our  Redeemer  and  our  hope,  our  fathers'  God  and  our  God,  in  whose 
rare  we  now  leave  these  precious  remains,  to  whose  blessing  we 


166  LINCOLN  MEMORIAL. 

renewedly  commit  our  bereaved  and  beloved  country,  and  to  whose 
name  be  glory  forever  and  ever.     Amen. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  the  gentlemen  specially  invited  to 
accompany  the  remains : 

Relatives  and  family  friends — Judge  David  Davis,  Judge  United  States  Su 
preme  Court ;  N.  W.  Edwards ;  General  J.  B.  S.  Todd ;  Charles  Alexander 
Smith.  Guard  of  Honor — namely :  General  E.  D.  Townsend  ;  Brigadier-Gen 
eral  Charles  Thomas ;  Brigadier-General  A.  D.  Eaton ;  Brevet  Major-General 
J.  G.  Barnard ;  Brigadier-General  G.  D.  Ramsay ;  Brigadier-General  A.  P. 
Howe  ;  Brigadier-General  D.  C.  McCallum ;  Major-General  David  Hunter ; 
Brigadier-General  J.  C.  Caldwell ;  Rear-Admiral  C.  H.  Davis,  United  States 
Navy ;  Captain  William  R.  Taylor,  United  States  Navy ;  Major  T.  Y.  Field, 
United  States  Marine  Corps.  (The  above  constituted  a  guard  of  honor ;  Capt. 
Charles  Penrose,  quartermaster  and  commissary  of  subsistence  for  the  entire 
party.)  Dr.  Charles  B.  Brown,  embalmer ;  Frank  T.  Sands,  undertaker.  And 
on  the  part  of  the  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives :  Maine,  Mr.  Pike ; 
New  Hampshire,  Mr.  Rollins ;  Vermont,  Mr.  Baxter ;  Massachusetts,  Mr. 
Hooper  ;  Connecticut,  Mr.  Dixon  ;  Rhode  Island,  Mr.  Anthony  ;  New  York,  Mr. 
Harris  ;  Pennsylvania,  Mr.  Cowan  ;  Ohio,  Mr.  Schenck ;  Kentucky,  Mr.  Smith ; 
Indiana,  Mr.  Julian ;  Minnesota,  Mr.  Ramsay ;  Michigan,  Mr.  T.  W.  Ferry ; 
Iowa,  Mr.  Harlan ;  Illinois,  Mr.  Yates,  Mr.  Washburne,  Mr.  Farnsworth,  and 
Mr.  Arnold ;  California,  Mr.  Shannon  ;  Oregon,  Mr.  Williams ;  Kansas,  Mr. 
Clarke  ;  Western  Virginia,  Mr.  Whaley  ;  Nevada,  Mr.  Nye  ;  Nebraska,  Mr. 
Hitchcock  ;  Colorado,  Mr.  Bradford ;  Idaho,  Mr.  Wallace ;  New  Jersey,  Mr. 
Newell ;  Maryland,  Mr.  Phelps ;  George  T.  Brown,  sergeant-at-arms  of  the 
Senate  ;  and  N.  G.  Ordway,  sergeant-at-arms  of  the  House  of  Representatives. 

Names  of  the  delegates  from  Illinois  appointed  to  accompany  the  remains  of 
Abraham  Lincoln,  late  President  of  the  United  States : — Governor  Richard  J. 
Oglesby ;  General  Isham  N.  Haynie,  Adjutant-General  State  of  Illinois ;  Col 
onel  James  H.  Bowen,  A.  D.  C. ;  Colonel  M.  H.  Hanna,  A.  D.  C. ;  Colonel  D.  B. 
James,  A.  D.  C. ;  Major  S.  Waite,  A.  D.  C. ;  Colonel  D.  L.  Phillips,  United 
States  Marshal  Southern  District  of  Illinois,  A.  D.  C. ;  Hon.  Jesse  K.  Dubois  ; 
Hon.  J.  T.  Stuart ;  Colonel  John  Williams  ;  Dr.  S.  H.  Melvin ;  Hon.  S.  M. 
Cullum  ;  General  John  A.  McClernand  ;  Hon.  Lyman  Trumbull ;  Hon.  J.  S.  V. 
Reddenburg  ;  Hon.  Thomas  J.  Dennis ;  Lieutenant-Governor  William  Bross ; 
Hon.  Francis  E.  Sherman,  Mayor  of  Chicago ;  Hon.  Thomas  A.  Haine ;  Hon. 
John  Wentworth ;  Hon.  S.  S.  Hays ;  Colonel  R.  M.  Hough  ;  Hon.  S.  W.  Ful 
ler ;  Capt.  J.  B.  Turner;  Hon.  I.  Lawson ;  Hon.  C.  L.  Woodman ;  Hon.  G.  W. 
Gage  ;  G.  H.  Roberts,  Esq. ;  Hon.  J.  Commisky  ;  Hon.  T.  L.  Talcott.  Also,  Gover 
nor  Morton,  of  Indiana  ;  Governor  Brough,  of  Ohio ;  Governor  Stone,  of  Iowa, 
together  with  their  aids ;  Reporters  for  the  press ;  L.  A.  Gobright,  of  Wash 
ington,  and  Cyrus  R.  Morgan,  of  Philadelphia,  for  the  Associated  Press  ;  L.  L. 
Crounz,  New  York  Times  ;  G.  B.  Woods,  Boston  Daily  Advertiser;  Dr.  Adonis, 
Chicago  Tribune. 

When  it  was  decided  to  remove  the  body  of  President  Lin 
coln  at  once  to  Springfield,  the  War  Department,  to  which  the 


FROM  WASHINGTON  TO  SPRINGFIELD.  167 

whole  arrangement  of  the  obsequies  was  assigned,  immediately 
made  preparations  to  have  it  conveyed  by  a  train  which  should 
go  directly  through  ;  and  all  was  arranged  on  the  various  roads 
to  prevent  any  delay,  and  all  connected  with  the  transportation 
was  placed  under  the  care  of  General  McCallum,  whose  prac 
tical  knowledge  would  insure  freedom  from  any  error. 
According  to  the  schedule  adopted,  the  train  was  to 

Leave  Washington,  Friday,  April  21,  8  A.  M. 
Arrive  at  Baltimore,  Friday,  April  21,  10  A.  M. 
Leave  Baltimore,  Friday,  April  21,  3  P.  M. 
Arrive  at  Harrisburg,  Friday,  April  21,  8.20  p.  M. 
Leave  Harrisburg,  Saturday,  April  22,  12  M. 
Arrive  at  Philadelphia,  Saturday,  April  22,  6.30  p.  M. 
Leave  Philadelphia,  Monday,  April  24,  4  A.  M. 
Arrive  at  New  York,  Monday,  April  24,  10  A,  M. 
Leave  New  York,  Tuesday,  April  25,  4  p.  M. 
Arrive  at  Albany,  Tuesday,  April  25,  11  P..M. 
Leave  Albany,  Wednesday,  April  26,  4  P.  M. 
Arrive  at  Buffalo,  Thursday,  April  27,  7  A.M. 
Leave  Buffalo,  Thursday,  April  27,  10.10  A.  M. 
Arrive  at  Cleveland,  Friday,  April  28,  7  A.  M. 
Leave  Cleveland,  Friday,  April  28,  midnight. 
Arrive  at  Columbus,  Saturday,  April  29,  7.30  A.  M. 
Leave  Columbus,  Saturday,  April  29,  8  P.  M. 
Arrive  at  Indianapolis,  Sunday,  April  30,  7  A.  M. 
Leave  Indianapolis,  Sunday,  April  30,  midnight. 
Arrive  at  Chicago,  Monday,  May  1,  11  A.  M. 
Leave  Chicago,  Tuesday,  May  2,  9.30  p.  M. 
Arrive  at  Springfield,  Wednesday,  May  3,  8  A.  M. 

This  route  differs  from  that  taken  by  Mr.  Lincoln  on  his  way 
to  Washington  in  1861  only  by  omitting  Cincinnati  and  Pitts- 
burg,  and  by  making  a  detour  by  way  of  Chicago  instead  of 
going  direct  from  Indianapolis  to  Springfield.  Of  the  escort 
that  accompanied  Mr.  Lincoln  from  Springfield  to  Washington, 
but  three  left  Washington  with  the  remains — Judge  David 
Davis,  of  Illinois,  Major-General  David  Hunter,  and  Ward  H. 
Lamon. 

The  car  assigned  for  the  transportation  of  the  remains  is  said 
to  be  the  first  railroad  structure  of  the  kind  in  this  country. 
It  was  built  by  Mr.  Jameson,  of  Alexandria,  for  the  United 


168  LINCOLN  MEMORIAL. 

States  Military  Railroad,  and  was  designed  for  the  special  use 
of  the  late  President  and  other  dignitaries  when  travelling 
over  the  military  roads.  It  contains  a  parlor,  sitting-room, 
and  sleeping  apartment  fitted  up  with  excellent  taste,  and  has 
all  the  modern  improvements.  Small  panels  are  arranged 
around  the  top  of  the  car,  on  which  are  painted  the  coats  of 
arms  of  each  state.  The  car  is  completely  robed  in  black,  the 
mourning  outside  being  festooned  in  two  rows  above  and  be 
low  the  windows,  while  each  window  has  a  strip  of  mourning 
connecting  the  upper  with  the  lower  row.  The  coffin  contain 
ing  the  remains  of  President  Lincoln  was  placed  upon  a  bier 
covered  with  black  cloth,  in  the  rear  of  the  car.  Six  other 
cars  accompany  the  train,  all  new,  belonging  to  the  Baltimore 
and  Ohio  road,  and  are  all  draped  with  mourning. 

The  engine  (238)  which  drew  the  train  was  also  new,  and 
made  at  the  Mount  Clare  works.  It  was  draped  with  mourn 
ing,  all  the  glittering  portions  covered  and  its  flags  draped. 
The  engineer  was  Mr.  Thomas  Becket.  To  guard  against  acci 
dents,  a  pilot-engine,  similarly  draped,  was  provided. 

The  train  moved  slowly  from  the  Washington  depot  at  eight 
o'clock,  the  engine  bell  tolling,  and  the  immense  assemblage 
reverently  uncovering  their  heads.  The  guard  and  several 
thousand  soldiers  stationed  near  formed  a  long  line  at  a  present 
arms  in  sign  of  respect  till  the  train  passed. 

To  prevent  accidents,  the  rate  of  speed  was  limited.  No 
stoppage  was  made  between  Washington  and  Baltimore.  In 
out-of-the-way  places,  little  villages,  or  single  farm-houses, 
people  came  out  to  the  side  of  the  track  and  watched,  with 
heads  reverently  uncovered  and  faces  full  of  genuine  sadness, 
the  passage  of  the  car  bearing  the  ashes  of  him  who  loved  the 
people  and  whom  the  people  loved.  Every  five  rods  along 
the  whole  line  were  seen  these  mourning  groups,  some  on  foot 
and  some  in  carriages,  wearing  badges  of  sorrow,  and  many 
evidently  having  come  a  long  distance  to  pay  this  little  tribute 
of  respect,  the  only  one  in  their  power,  to  the  memory  of  the 
murdered  President.  At  Annapolis  Junction,  General  Tyler 
and  his  staff,  who  were  stationed  at  the  Relay  House,  joined  the 
cortege. 


FROM  WASHINGTON  TO  SPRINGFIELD.  169 


OBSEQUIES  IN  BALTIMORE. 

Baltimore  prepared  to  receive  the  honored  remains  of  the 
Chief  Magistrate  with  every  mark  of  reverence.  A  procession 
was  arranged  to  meet  them  at  the  Camden  Station  of  the  Balti 
more  and  Ohio  Railroad ;  and  this  point,  in  spite  of  the  inclem 
ency  of  the  weather,  became  a  centre  to  which,  from  early  dawn, 
people  of  all  ages,  sexes,  and  colors  began  to  hasten.  By  eight 
o'clock,  every  thoroughfare  near  it,  except  those  occupied  and 
kept  clear  by  the  troops,  was  so  densely  crowded  as  to  prevent 
all  passage. 

Shortly  before  ten  o'clock,  a  pilot  engine  entered  the  depot, 
announcing  the  funeral  train  of  the  illustrious  dead  but  a  few 
moments  behind.  On  the  platform  were  assembled  Governor 
Bradford ;  Lieutenant- Governor  Cox;  the  Governor's  staff;  Gen 
eral  Berry  and  staff;  Hon.  Wm.  B.  Hill,  Secretary  of  State ; 
Hon.  Robert  Fowler,  State  Treasurer,  with  other  of  the  officials 
of  the  State  government ;  Mayor  Chapman  ;  the  City  Council 
of  Baltimore,  with  the  heads  of  the  departments  of  the  city 
government ;  Major-General  Wallace,  Brigadier-General  Tyler, 
Commodore  Dornin,  and  many  other  officers  of  the  army  and 
navy. 

At  ten  o'clock,  the  car  bearing  the  body  and  escort  reached 
the  depot  in  charge  of  General  McCallum  and  John  W.  Garrett, 
Esq.,  and  in  a  brief  time  the  coffin  was  removed  by  the  guard 
— sergeants  of  the  Invalid  Corps — and,  with  uncovered  heads 
and  saddened  hearts,  it  was  escorted  through  the  depot  build 
ings  by  the  State  and  city  authorities  to  the  hearse  or  funeral 
car  awaiting  its  reception  on  Camden-street. 

The  hearse,  furnished  by  Mr.  John  Cox,  East  Baltimore,  was 
almost  entirely  of  plate-glass,  which  enabled  the  vast  crowd  on 
the  line  of  the  procession  to  have  a  full  view  of  the  coffin.  The 
supports  of  the  top  were  draped  with  black  cloth  and  white 
silk,  and  the  top  of  the  car  itself  was  handsomely  decorated 
with  black  plumes. 

The  escort  from  "Washington  was  followed  by  an  imposing 
military  array,  which  excited  admiration  by  their  precision  and 
soldierly  appearance.  The  entire  column,  under  the  command 
of  Brigadier-General  H.  H.  Lockwood,  attended  by  his  staff  and 


170  LINCOLN  MEMORIAL. 

a  number  of  aids,  formed  in  line  on  Eutaw-street,  right  resting 
on  Conway-street,  and  moved  in  reverse  order.  First  came  a 
detachment  of  cavalry,  with  their  buglers  on  the  right,  who  an 
nounced  the  approach  of  the  line ;  then  followed  the  infantry 
troops  of  the  First,  Second,  and  Third  Brigades,  all  of  whom 
moved  in  platoons,  with  arms  reversed,  and  accompanied  by 
their  fine  bands,  playing  solemn  dirges.  An  artillery  battery, 
consisting  of  six  three-inch  parrots  and  caissons,  each  drawn  by 
six  horses.  Included  in  the  infantry  were  the  Eleventh  Indiana 
Volunteers,  which  are  stationed  at  Fort  McHenry,  and  com 
manded  by  Colonel  Daniel  McCauley.  Following  the  battery 
was  a  detachment  of  United  States  marines,  from  the  United 
States  receiving  ship  Alleghany.  A  detachment  of  United 
States  seamen  followed  the  marines,  Companies  PI  and  K  of  the 
Second  United  States  Artillery,  stationed  at  Fort  McHenry, 
carrying  the  regimental  flag,  accompanied  by  the  full  band. 
These  companies  were  posted  on  each  side  of  the  hearse  con 
taining  the  remains  of  the  lamented  President.  The  rear  of 
the  escort  was  brought  up  by  a  large  number  of  officers  of 
various  departments,  including  medical  and  other  branches,  all 
mounted.  Among  these  were  Major-General  Lew  Wallace  and 
staff,  Surgeon  Josiah  Simpson,  medical  director,  General  E.  B. 
Tyler,  Brigadier-General  J.  K.  Kenly,  Colonel  S.  M.  Bowman, 
and  others. 

The  procession  commenced  to  move  precisely  at  10.30  A.  M., 
over  the  route  previously  designated.  A  few  minutes  before 
one  o'clock,  the  head  of  the  procession  arrived  at  the  southern 
point  of  the  Exchange.  As  the  head  of  the  military  escort 
reached  Calvert-street  the  column  halted,  and  the  hearse,  with 
its  guard  of  honor,  passed  between  the  lines,  the  troops  present 
ing  arms,  and  bands  of  music  wailing  out  the  plaintive  tune, 
"  Peace,  troubled  soul." 

The  general  officers  dismounted,  and  formed  with  their  staffs 
on  either  side  of  the  approach  from  the  gate  to  the  main  en 
trance  to  the  Exchange.  The  remains  were  then  removed  from 
the  funeral-car,  and  carried  slowly  and  reverently  into  the  build 
ing,  and  placed  on  a  catafalque  prepared  for  them.  After  they 
had  been  properly  placed,  and  the  covering  removed,  the  officers 
present  passed  slowly  forward  on  either  side  of  the  body. 

The  civic  part  of  the  procession,  which  was  under  John  Q. 


FROM  WASHINGTON  TO  SPRINGFIELD.  171 

A.  Herring,  Esq.,  as  Chief-marshal,  and  headed  by  Governor 
Bradford,  Governor-elect  Swan,  and  Lieutenant-Governor  Cox, 
then  followed. 

The  noble  columns  on  the  east  and  west  sides  of  the  Kotunda 
were  draped  with  black  cloth,  whilst  the  base  of  the  wall  around 
the  entire  hall  was  covered  with  the  same  material.  The  gal 
leries  were  likewise  tastefully  draped,  and  from  the  upper  gal 
lery,  at  the  base  of  the  dome,  four  large  national  flags,  one  start 
ing  from  each  cardinal  point  of  the  compass  and  meeting  in  the 
centre,  draped  in  graceful  folds  over  the  catafalque,  which  was 
erected  immediately  beneath  the  dome.  The  ends  of  these  flags 
were  gathered  in  rich  folds  and  united  with  festoons  of  black 
cloth,  forming  a  circle  of  drapery  over  the  catafalque.  This  struc 
ture  was  a  model  of  good  taste  highly  creditable  to  its  designer, 
Charles  T.  Holloway,  Esq.  The  catafalque  consisted  of  a  raised 
dais,  eleven  feet  by  four  at  the  base,  the  sides  sloping  slightly 
to  the  height  of  about  three  feet ;  from  the  four  corners  rose 
graceful  columns,  supporting  a  -canopy  eight  feet  from  the  base, 
having  a  projecting  cornice  extending  beyond  the  line  of  the 
base.  The  canopy  rose  to  a  point  fourteen  feet  from  the  ground, 
terminating  in  clusters  of  rich  black  plumes.  The  whole  struc 
ture  was  richly  draped  with  exquisite  taste.  The  floor  and  sides 
of  the  dais  were  covered  with  fine  black  cloth,  and  the  canopy 
was  formed  of  black  drap  d'ete,  rich  folds  drooping  from  the 
four  corners  and  bordered  with  silver  fringe.  The  cornice  was 
adorned  with  silver  braid  and  a  row  of  silver  stars,  whilst  the 
sides  and  ends  of  the  dais  were  similarly  ornamented.  The  in 
terior  of  the  canopy  was  of  black  cloth,  gathered  in  fluted  folds 
to  a  central  point,  where  was  a  large  star  of  black  velvet,  studded 
with  thirty-six  stars,  one  for  each  State  of  the  Union. 

The  floor  of  the  dais,  on  which  the  body  of  the  illustrious 
martyred  patriot  rested,  was  bordered  with  evergreens,  and  a 
wreath  of  spiraea,  azaleas,  calla  lilies,  and  other  choice  flowers, 
the  whole  presenting  a  most  touching  and  beautiful  and  appro 
priate  resting-place. 

The  crowd  surrounding  the  building  was  immense,  but  owing 
to  excellent  police  arrangements,  and  a  strong  military  guard, 
every  thing  passed  off  in  an  orderly  and  decorous  manner.  But 
a  small  portion  of  the  throng  in  attendance  were  able  to  obtain 
a  view  of  the  President's  remains.  At  about  half-past  two 


172  LINCOLN  MEMORIAL. 

o'clock,  to  the  regret  of  thousands  of  our  citizens,  the  coffin  was 
closed  and  the  face  that  was  so  dear  to  the  nation  was  hidden 
from  view,  and,  escorted  by  the  guards  of  honor,  the  body  was 
removed  to  the  hearse.  The  procession  then  reformed  and  took 
up  its  mournful  march  to  the  depot  of  the  Northern  Central 
Railroad  Company.  The  coffin  was  placed  in  a  car  tastefully 
draped,  and  the  escort  on  a  train  specially  assigned  to  them, 
which  wras  also  draped,  and  started  for  Harrisburg  at  a  few 
minutes  past  three  o'clock. 

OBSEQUIES  AT  HAEKISBUKG. 

General  Cadwallader,  commanding  the  Department  of  Penn 
sylvania,  accompanied  Governor  Curtin. 

When  the  train  reached  York,  at  the  request  of  the  ladies  of 
that  town,  a  beautiful  wreath  was  placed,  with  due  solemnity, 
upon  the  coffin. 

The  remains  arrived  at  Harrisburg  at  eight  o'clock.  Owing 
to  the  heavy  rain,  it  was  found  impossible  to  proceed  with  the 
intended  military  and  civic  display.  Throngs  of  people,  how 
ever,  lined  the  street  and  followed  the  remains  to  the  State 
Capitol,  where  the  body  lay  in  state,  in  the  House  of  Repre 
sentatives.  The  coffin  lay  upon  a  catafalque,  around  which  was 
a  wreath  of  white  flowering  almonds.  The  coffin-lid  was  open 
from  nine  to  twelve  o'clock  at  night,  during  which  the  hall  was 
crowded  to  excess  with  those  wishing  to  get  a  view  of  the 
President's  features.  They  passed  in  and  out  with  order.  At 
the  appointed  hour  the  doors  were  closed,  and  the  remains 
locked  up  until  seven  o'clock  next  morning,  when  the  lids  were 
again  thrown  open  and  the  vast  assemblage  commenced  enter 
ing  the  hall.  While  citizens  generally,  especially  ladies  and 
children,  were  entering,  the  military  escort,  in  column  of  march, 
formed  in  line  of  procession  in  the  following  order : — 

Band  of  music,  cavalry,  artillery,  10th  regiment  Veteran 

Reserve  Corps,  Pennsylvania  V.  I. ;  officers  of  the  army  and 

navy,  dismounted ;   officers  of  the  army  and  navy  mounted ; 

commanding  officers  of  the  escort  and  staff;  chief  marshal  and 

aids ;  clergy  ;  pall-bearers  and  escort ;  the  family  relatives  and 

-;the  delegation  of  the  State  of  Illinois  as  mourners  ;  his  Excel- 

{}§ncy  A.  G.  Curtin,  Governor  of  the  Commonwealth  of  Penn- 

(fy,]jvania,  and  Major-General  George  Cadwallader,  commanding 


FROM  WASHINGTON  TO  SPRINGFIELD.  173 

Department  of  Pennsylvania,  and  staff;  Diplomatic  Corps ;  ex- 
Presidents  ;  Chief- Justice  and  Associates  of  the  Supreme  Court 
of  the  U.  States,  Senate  of  the  United  States,  House  of  Repre 
sentatives  of  the  United  States;  Federal  Judiciary  and  Judges 
of  other  States  and  Territories;  Secretary  of  the  Common 
wealth,  and  other  State  officers,  including  Justices  of  the  Su 
preme  Court  and  members  of  the  Legislature ;  the  authorities 
and  judiciary  of  the  county  of  Dauphin ;  Mayor  of  Harrisburg 
and  City  Council ;  Committee  of  Arrangements ;  delegations 
from  other  States ;  delegations  from  other  places ;  soldiers  of 
the  war  of  1812  ;  honorably  discharged  soldiers  of  the  present 
war ;  fire  department  and  civic  associations. 

At  nine  o'clock,  the  hall  of  the  House  of  Representatives  was 
closed  to  all  citizens  and  soldiers  except  those  taking  part  in 
the  military  and  civic  procession.  At  the  head  of  the  catafalque 
sat  Brigadier-General  Eaten,  who  was  assisted  by  Admiral 
Davis  and  another  general  officer.  There  were  three  general 
officers  on  duty  every  six  hours.  Just  one  hour  was  allowed  for 
the  various  bodies  comprising  the  procession  to  pass  through, 
and  this  having  expired,  Mr.  Sands,  United  States  superinten 
dent  of  burial,  who  had  the  body  in  charge,  closed  the  coffin, 
after  which  all  ingress  to  the  Capitol  was  barred.  During  the 
procession  and  other  demonstrations,  guns  were  firing  in  mem 
ory  of  the  honored  dead.  The  hall  was  draped  in  the  most 
artistic  style,  and  in  the  centre,  behind  the  Speaker's  desk,  was 
a  portrait  of  President  Lincoln,  looking  natural  as  life.  The 
Speaker's  desk  was  handsomely  interworked  with  chaplets  of 
flowers.  Wherever  one  travelled  in  the  city  there  was  evidence 
of  deep  grief.  The  houses  were  draped  in  mourning,  and  the 
people  everywhere  manifested  their  reverence.  The  Patriot 
and  Telegraph  offices  had  suspended  from  them  beautiful  flags 
fringed  with  black.  Eleven  o'clock  having  been  fixed  for  the 
departure,  the  special  delegations  were  already  at  the  depot. 
The  military  and  civic  processions  escorted  the  cortege,  followed 
by  throngs  of  citizens. 

An  assemblage  of  the  people  of  Elizabethtowri,  as  well  as 
from  the  country  and  villages,  gathered  around  the  car  con 
taining  the  remains,  and  vainly  sought  to  gratify  the  longings 
of  their  hearts.  At  Mount  Joy  men  and  women  stood  with 
uncovered  heads,  and  the  latter  wept. 


174  LINCOLN  MEMORIAL. 

Not  less  than  20,000  people  gathered  at  Lancaster,  every 
one  seeming  eager  to  know  which  car  contained  the  Presi 
dent's  remains.  On  being  informed,  all  eyes  turned  eagerly 
to  salute  it.  The  carriage  depot  was  wreathed  with  flags  lined 
with  black  fringes  and  studded  with  rosettes  of  stars.  As  a 
work  of  art  in  honor  of  the  honored  dead,  it  was  as  exquisite 
as  it  was  appropriate.  On  either  side  of  the  train,  in  line, 
were  literary  and  religious  societies,  uncovered  ;  and  reaching 
out  away  beyond  the  suburbs,  standing  in  the  fields  and  on 
eminences  close  by  the  railroad,  were  a  number  of  farmers, 
who,  uncovered,  with  hats  in  left  hand,  held  up  their  right  to 
Heaven,  as  if  vowing  before  God  that  they  were  now  and  ever 
ready  to  avenge  their  fallen  chieftain.  Near  the  little  village 
of  Gap  passengers  were  out  in  fields  adjacent,  and  stood  un 
covered  until  the  train  passed  by,  after  which  they  resumed 
their  seats  in  their  own  train  and  sped  onward.  « 

Through  Parkersburg  the  people  lined  the  houses,  railroad 
cars,  and  fences,  anxious  mourning  spectators.  From  poles 
erected  on  both  sides  the  railroad  lines  floated  drooping  flags 
draped  in  mourning.  In  the  suburbs  of  Philadelphia,  taste 
fully  draped  private  residences  and  drooping  flags,  and  large 
assemblages,  evidenced  how  truly  the  people  felt  their  sorrow. 
As  the  train  approached  the  heart  of  the  city,  the  crowds  of 
people  increased — guns  peal  forth.  At  the  depot,  the  Mayor 
and  Council,  and  different  societies,  and  an  immense  concourse 
of  people  awaited  to  convey  the  sacred  treasure  to  Indepen 
dence  Plall.  It  may  be  said  that  the  entire  route  from  Balti 
more  to  Philadelphia  was  amid  crowds  of  sorrowing  people, 
for  between  villages  and  towns,  all  the  way,  farmers  and  their 
families  assembled  in  fields  and  about  houses,  seriously  and 
reverently  gazing  at  the  fleeting  funeral  cortege. 

AT  PHILADELPHIA. 

The  funeral  cortege  reached  Broad-street  station  in  Phila 
delphia  at  half-past  four  o'clock.  The  procession  did  not  move 
until  six.  The  military,  both  white  and  black,  made  a  fine 
display.  The  City  Troop  acted  as  bodyguard  to  the  corpse. 
In  the  procession  were  the  Mayor,  the  City  Councils,  and  other 
municipal  authorities,  Federal  officers,  army  and  navy  officers 
stationed  in  the  city  and  neighborhood,  the  Judiciary  members 


FROM  WASHINGTON  TO  SPRINGFIELD.  175 

of  the  Legislature,  Members  of  Congress,  representatives  of 
foreign  courts,  and  numerous  others  of  distinction.  The  fire 
men,  and  every  society,  institute,  and  organization,  were  well 
represented,  especially  the  Knights  Templars,  the  Odd  Fellows, 
and  the  Fenians.  Many  colored  men  also  appeared  as  mem 
bers  of  charitable  and  other  societies,  with  appropriate  badges 
and  regalia. 

The  procession  occupied  an  hour  and  a  half  in  passing  the 
streets  designated  in  the  programme.  It  had  been  dark  for 
more  than  an  hour  when  the  funeral  car  reached  Independence 
Hall,  and  an  hour  after  this,  at  half-past  nine  o'clock,  the  rear 
of  the  column  had  not  started  from  the  back  streets  in  which 
the  several  divisions  were  formed.  Notwithstanding  the  delay 
and  the  darkness,  the  immense  numbers  of  people  who  had  as 
sembled  from  the  city  and  surrounding  country  remained  in 
the  streets  to  witness  the  entire  pageant.  Extra  trains  had  been 
running  into  the  city  all  day  from  all  directions,  each  bringing 
hundreds  of  visitors.  Every  inch  of  space  along  the  route  des 
ignated  for  the  procession  was  contended  for,  and,  doubtless, 
at  least  two  hundred  and  fifty  thousand  people  were  out  to  see 
the  spectacle.  The  hotels  were  overrun  with  guests,  and  many 
of  the  visitors  from  a  distance  passed  the  night  shelterless  and 
supperless  in  the  streets,  unable  to  obtain  accommodations. 
The  ashes  of  the  nation's  martyr  found  a  fixed  resting-place  in 
Independence  Hall,  around  which  cluster  so  many  historical 
memories,  and  over  which,  four  years  ago,  the  then  President 
elect  hoisted  the  American  flag,  with  a  declaration  of  his  will 
ingness  to  sacrifice  his  life  rather  than  abandon  the  cause 
which  he  has  at  length  fallen  in  defending,  and  where  have 
since  reposed  the  remains  of  the  first  prominent  Union  martyr, 
Colonel  Ellsworth,  and  of  General  Lyon,  Colonel  Baker,  Lieu 
tenant  Greble,  and  many  others  of  our  great  army  of  dead 
heroes.  The  bier  was  close  to  the  famous  old  Liberty  Bell 
which  first  sounded  forth  in  1776  the  tidings  of  Independence. 

The  interior  of  the  Hall,  as  well  as  exterior,  was  heavily 
draped  and  most  artistically  illuminated.  Around  the  remains 
were  appropriate  decorations,  leaves  of  exquisite  evergreens  and 
flowers  of  an  exquisite  crimson  bloom.  At  the  head  of  the 
corpse  were  bouquets  ;  beneath,  the  flaming  tapers  at  the  feet ; 
from  the  elaborately  hung  walls  the  portraits  of  the  great  and 


176  LINCOLN  MEMORIAL. 

good  dead  were  eloquent  in  their  silence,  and  seemed  to  say  that 
not  one  of  the  great  actors  of  other  eras  preserved  in  canvas, 
marble,  and  metal,  looking  down  like  living  mourners  on  that 
honored  catafalque,  ever  filled  his  space  with  more  dignity 
than  the  dead  Lincoln.  Not  Columbus,  from  his  brazen  door ; 
not  De  Soto,  planting  his  cross  on  the  Mississippi ;  not  Poca- 
hontas ;  not  Miles  Standish,  on  the  Mayflower ;  not  William 
Penn,  making  peace  with  the  Indians  ;  not  Benjamin  Franklin, 
in  his  philosophy ;  not  the  fiery  Patrick  Henry,  as  he  ejac 
ulated  his  war-cry  in  the  Virginia  House  of  Delegates — nor 
John  Adams,  as  he  shouted  it  in  Boston ;  not  Washington, 
with  his  sword ;  nor  Jefferson,  with  his  pen  ;  nor  Hamilton, 
with  his  statesmanship  ;  nor  John  Jay  ;  nor  John  Marshall, 
the  purest  jurist  of  our  earlier  or  later  history  ;  nor  Perry,  the 
Sea  King  of  1812,  riding  on  billows  of  blood  through  a  line  of 
blazing  ships  ;  nor  Jackson,  with  his  triple  triumph  over  sav 
age,  and  Briton,  and  the  spirit  of  incipient  treason  ;  not  one 
was  more  worthy  of  the  genius  of  the  poet,  the  painter,  the 
sculptor,  and  the  orator,  than  the  gentle  and  illustrious  patriot 
whose  virtues  and  whose  genius  the  American  people  now 
mourn. 

The  next  morning  the  body  of  President  Lincoln  was  visited 
by  thousands,  on  invitation  tickets  from  the  Select  Council. 
Before  daylight  lines  were  formed  east  and  west  of  Independ 
ence  Hall,  passing  in  by  two  stairways  through  the  front  win 
dows  and  out  by  the  rear  into  the  Square.  By  ten  o'clock  these 
lines  extended  at  least  three  miles,  from  the  Delaware  to  the 
Schuylkill  river,  thousands  occupying  three  or  four  hours  be 
fore  accomplishing  their  object — seeing  the  remains.  A  mili 
tary  guard  and  the  police  at  Fifth  and  Sixth  streets  prevented 
the  throng  from  accumulating  in  front  of  the  Hall,  none  being 
allowed  to  pass  except  in  line.  Great  numbers  of  females  took 
position  in  line,  and  notwithstanding  the  fatigue  of  slow  pro 
gress  effected  their  object,  many  only  giving  up  when  they 
fainted  and  were  carried  off  by  their  friends.  Colored  men 
and  women  were  liberally  sprinkled  along  the  line. 

The  corpse  was  exposed  at  Independence  Hall  from  nine 
o'clock  at  night  until  one  o'clock  next  morning,  at  which  hour 
thousands  of  persons  were  obliged  to  retire  disappointed  from 
the  streets  subsequently  to  renew  their  efforts.  Although  the 


FROM  WASHINGTON  TO  SPRINGFIELD.  177 

doors  were  not  opened  until  five  o'clock  in  the  morning,  long 
before  that  hour  an  anxious  crowd  had  assembled,  and  this  com 
paratively  small  number  was  from  minute  to  minute  increased. 
By  eight  o'clock  it  was  almost  impossible  to  pass  within  two  or 
three  blocks  of  the  Hall  on  the  Chestnut-street  side,  while  the 
cross-streets  were  pouring  forth  their  myriads  of  human  beings. 
A  military  and  police  force  endeavored  to  restrain  the  pressure 
towards  the  door.  The  long  lines  formed  for  miles  were  kept 
up  until  a  late  hour  at  night.  As  they  were  diminished  in 
the  front,  accessions  were  furnished  in  the  rear.  Some  had 
been  waiting  for  six  or  eight  hours  before  they  gained  admis 
sion  to  the  Hall,  while  others  became  so  weary  as  to  be  com 
pelled  to  abandon  their  hope. 

The  scenes  at  the  Hall  were  impressively  solemn,  and  not  a 
few  persons  were  affected  to  tears.  An  old  colored  woman, 
sixty-five  or  severity  years  of  age,  thrilled  the  spectators  with 
her  open  expressions  of  grief.  Gazing  for  a  few  moments  on 
the  face  of  the  dead,  she  exclaimed,  clasping  her  hands,  while 
tears  coursed  down  her  withered  cheeks  :  "  Oh,  Abraham  Lin 
coln  ;  Oh  !  he  is  dead,  he  is  dead  !"  The  sympathy  and  love 
expressed  by  this  poor  woman  found  a  response  in  every  heart, 
and  seemed  to  increase,  if  possible,  the  general  grief. 

The  wounded  soldiers  hobbling  in  or  borne  to  the  spot  in 
ambulances,  formed  a  touching  sight  as  they  came  to  look  on 
the  great,  man  who  had  fallen  for  the  Union. 

The  funeral  train  left  Philadelphia  at  4  A.  M.,  on  the  24th  of 
April.  The  incidents  of  the  journey  were  similar  to  those  seen 
elsewhere.  Sometimes  the  track  was  lined  on  both  sides  for 
miles  with  a  continuous  array  of  people.  The  most  impressive 
scene  of  the  whole  route  thus  far  was  furnished  by  the  city  of 
Newark,  although  no  stop  of  any  length  was  made  there.  The 
track  runs  directly  through  the  city,  and  the  space  on  each  side 
of  the  road  is  very  broad  and  afforded  ample  room  for  spec 
tators.  It  seemed  as  if  the  inhabitants  of  Newark  had  re 
solved  to  turn  out  en  masse  to  pay  their  brief  tribute  of  respect 
to  the  memory  of  the  departed  as  his  coffin  passed  by.  For  a 
distance  of  a  mile,  the  observer  on  the  train  could  perceive 
only  one  sea  of  human  beings.  It  was  not  a  crowd  surging 
with  excitement  or  impatience  like  most  great  assemblages,  but 
stood  quiet  and  apparently  subdued  with  grief  unspeakable. 

12 


178  LINCOLN  MEMORIAL. 

Every  man,  with  nardly  an  exception,  from  one  end  of  the 
town  to  the  other,  stood  bareheaded  while  the  train  passed, 
half  of  the  women  were  crying,  and  every  face  bore  an  ex 
pression  of  sincere  sadness.  Housetops,  fences,  and  the  very 
switches  beside  the  track,  were  covered  with  men.  Words  can 
do  no  justice  in  the  spectacle. 

Of  a  grander  character  was  the  reception  given  to  the  re 
mains  at  Jersey  City.  The  depot,  one  of  the  largest  halls  in  the 
country,  was  draped  in  the  mourning  garb  assumed  on  the 
first  news  being  received  of  the  national  loss.  The  balconies 
were  hung  with  mourning,  arranged  in  diagonal  patterns  of 
black  and  white,  and  at  the  eastern  end  of  the  building  was 
the  inscription — 

"BE  STILL,  AND  KNOW  THAT  I  AM  GOD." 
At  the  other  ends  were  the  words : 

"  A  NATION'S  HEART  WAS  STRUCK, 
ATBIL  15, 1865." 

On  the  ferry  house  was  this  motto : 

"GEO.  WASHINGTON,  THE  FATHER, 

ABRAHAM    LINCOLN,    THE    SAVIOUR, 

OF  HIS  COUNTRY." 

The  long  galleries  were  filled  with  ladies,  and  in  the  centre 
of  the  hall  stood  the  choir  of  seventy  singers. 

The  exterior  of  the  depot  was  also  draped,  and  the  clock  was 
stopped  at  twenty-two  minutes  past  seven,  the  hour  at  which 
the  President  died.  At  the  western  end  of  the  depot,  close  to 
the  entrance  through  which  it  was  arranged  the  funeral  cortege 
should  pass,  one  of  the  tracks  was  boarded  over  from  platform 
to  platform,  so  as  to  give  abundant  room  for  the  removal  of 
the  body  out  of  the  funeral  car. 

Almost  unheard,  the  nine  cars  of  the  funeral' train,  all  draped 
with  black,  glided  steadily  in  through  the  western  gates  of  the 
station.  The  guards  presented  arms  ;  a  battery  of  the  Hudson 
County  Artillery,  at  a  little  distance,  fired  minute  guns.  As 
the  richly  decorated  coffin,  with  its  silver  ornaments,  was  ex 
posed  to  view,  the  choral  societies  began  to  chant  the  Integer 


FROM  WASHINGTON  TO  SPRINGFIELD.  179 

Vitce.  A  body-guard  of  twenty-five  sergeants  and  veterans  of 
the  reserve  corps,  under  the  command  of  Captain  Campbell, 
surrounded  the  corpse. 

Before  the  last  sad  notes  of  the  funeral  dirge  were  ended  the 
coffin  was  raised  on  the  shoulders  of  ten  stalwart  veterans,  and 
the  order  of  procession  was  formed.  First  walked  General 
Dix  and  General  Sandford  ;  next,  four  undertakers,  and  Colonel 
McMahon  and  Captain  Lord,  of  General  Dix's  staff.  Then 
came  the  corpse,  flanked  by  the  remainder  of  the  body-guard, 
with  drawn  swords,  and  followed,  in  irregular  order,  by  Gen 
erals  Thompson,  Assistant  Adjutant-General,  representing  the 
Secretary  of  War ;  General  Eaton,  Commissary-General  of 
Subsistence  ;  General  McCallum,  Superintendent  of  Military 
Roads ;  Generals  Barnard,  Hunter,  Howe,  Ramsay,  Caldwell, 
and  Townsend;  Admirals  Bell  and  Davis;  Senators  Anthony, 
Cowen,  Ramsay,  and  "Williams ;  Congressmen,  preceded  by 
their  Sergeant-at-Arms ;  Captain  Taylor,  United  States  Navy  ; 
Major  Fields,  United  States  Marine  Corps;  Lieutenant  John 
White ;  the  remainder  of  the  Washington  guard  of  honor  and 
delegation ;  Hon.  Chauncey  M.  Depew,  Secretary  of  State  of 
]STew  York ;  the  Mayor  and  Common  Council  of  Jersey  City ; 
the  delegations  from  Hoboken,  Hudson  City,  Bergen  and 
Greenville,  and  other  officials  and  mourners.  Moving  down 
the  north  platform,  at  which  the  train  was  drawn  up,  towards 
the  eastern  end  of  the  building,  the  procession  wound  round 
and  moved  up  the  next  platform,  and  so  out  at  the  western 
entrance  of  the  depot,  the  choral  societies  meanwhile  singing 
the  chorale,  "Rest  in  the  Grave." 

The  hearse  was  neat ;  the  sides  and  back  were  of  plate  glass, 
and  on  the  top  were  eight  large  plumes  of  black  and  white 
feathers.  Around  the  edge  of  the  roof  and  the  lower  portion 
of  the  body  of  the  hearse  were  American  flags  folded,  draped 
in  mourning,  gracefully  festooned,  and  fastened  with  knots  of 
white  and  black  ribbons.  It  was  drawn  by  six  gray  horses  cov 
ered  with  black  cloth,  each  led  by  a  groom  dressed  in  mourn 
ing. 

A  strong  line  of  guards  kept  clear  a  broad  and  ample  space 
for  the  procession.  Outside  their  line  a  great  and  dense  but 
serious  and  silent  crowd  was  gathered.  All  were  quickly  on 
board  the  ferry  boat  New  Jersey,  and  moving  at  once  out  of 


180  LINCOLN  MEMORIAL. 

the  slip,  she  crossed  without  delay  or  accident  to  the  foot  of 
Desbrosses  street. 

Thus  ended  the  reception  at  Jersey  City,  the  most  thrilling, 
as  that  at  Newark  was  the  most  touching. 

OBSEQUIES  IN  NEW  YORK. 

The  scene  there  was  most  imposing,  and  could  not  fail  to 
make  a  lasting  impression  upon  the  thousands  who  were  con 
gregated  on  the  housetops  and  awnings  for  several  blocks  on 
each  side  of  the  ferry.  The  people  commenced  to  collect  at 
an  early  hour,  and  long  before  the  police  arrived  every  avail 
able  spot  was  occupied  along  Desbrosses  street,  from  West  to 
Hudson  streets.  The  window  sashes  of  all  the  houses  were 
removed,  in  order  that  the  occupants  might  have  an  unob 
structed  view  of  the  procession ;  and,  as  far  as  the  eye  could 
see,  there  was  a  dense  mass  of  heads  protruding  from  every 
window  in  the  street.  The  fronts  of  the  houses  were  tastefully 
draped  with  mourning,  and  the  national  ensign  was  displayed 
at  half-mast  from  almost  every  housetop. 

The  Seventh  Regiment,  National  Guard,  Colonel  Emmons 
Clark,  which  had  been  selected  as  the  escort,  arrived  on  the 
ground  about  half-past  nine  o'clock.  The  street,  from  its  com 
mencement  at  the  ferry  to  its  junction  with  Hudson  street,  was 
promptly  cleared,  and  the  space  kept  open  until  the  arrival  of 
the  funeral  party  ;  three  hundred  policemen  forming  a  double 
line  from  the  ferry  gate  up  to  Hudson  street. 

A  few  minutes  before  eleven  o'clock  the  firing  of  guns  and 
the  tolling  of  bells  announced  the  near  approach  of  the  boat, 
and  preparations  were  made  for  landing  the  remains  of  the 
honored  dead  amid  a  chant  of  the  German  Society.  The  anx 
iety  of  the  people  to  obtain  a  view  of  the  funeral  was  intense, 
and  required  the  united  exertions  of  the  military  and  the  po 
lice  to  preserve  order. 

Colonel  Clark  conferred  with  General  Dix  immediately  upon 
the  arrival  of  the  boat,  and  arranged  the  order  of  the  proces 
sion  ;  and,  on  his  return,  formed  his  regiment  into  a  hollow 
square,  in  the  centre  of  which  it  was  intended  the  funeral  cor 
tege  should  march.  Every  thing  being  in  readiness,  the  pro 
cession  started  from  the  boat  in  the  following:  order : 


FROM  WASHINGTON  TO  SPRINGFIELD. 


181 


Police. 

General  Dix,  General  Sandford,  Alderman  Ryers,  and  other  Military  Officers 

and  Civilians. 

Band. 

Seventh  Regiment. 
Sergeants  of  the  Invalid  Corps. 


Seventh 


Regiment 


Seventh 


Regiment. 


Sergeants  of  the  Invalid  Corps. 

Seventh  Regiment. 
Guard  of  Honor  accompanying  the  Remains. 

The  procession  passed  up  Hudson  to  Canal,  thence  through 
it  and  Broadway  to  the  Park,  entering  on  the  eastern  side. 

At  precisely  11.30  o'clock  the  head  of  the  procession  entered 
the  east  gate  of  the  Park.  The  scene  from  the  balcony  at  this 
moment  was  one  never  to  be  forgotten.  Far  off  and  near 
waved  mournfully  in  the  bright,  balmy  air,  the  draped  colors 
of  a  sorrow-stricken  nation.  From  every  possible  point  of  ex 
hibition  were  flung  to  the  view  of  scores  of  thousands,  clean 
against  the  blue  horizon,  the  red,  white,  and  blue  emblem  of 
liberty,  sabled  with  the  sombre  tone  of  mourning.  On  the 
right  marched  the  Seventh.  In  front,  reaching  from  the  .line 
of  the  police  to  the  further  verge  of  the  Park,  resting  literally 
against  the  iron  railings,  stood  an  army  of  interested,  anxious 
men  and  women,  whose  uncovered  heads  and  upturned  coun 
tenances  resembled  a  quiet  sea  of  expectancy  ;  the  double  force 
of  singers,  bareheaded  and  ready  for  the  dirge ;  the  short  line, 
fifteen  in  all,  of  venerable  men  who  fought  and  bled  in  their 
country's  cause  half  a  century  ago,  lifted  from  their  bald  heads 
their  hats,  banded  with  weeds ;  the  strong  sun  in  mid-heaven 
sent  down  a  summer  heat ;  and  the  wind,  which  a  few  mo 
ments  before  whistled  wildly  along,  burdened  with  clouds  of 


182  LINCOLN  MEMORIAL. 

dust,  hushed  into  a  whisper,  and  breathed  balmily  on  every 
spot.  From  distant  batteries  the  cannon  belched  at  each  min 
ute  a  thunder-tone  of  woe.  From  all  the  steeples  came  forth 
the  wailing  of  bells,  while  from  the  spire  of  old  Trinity  floated 
upon  the  breeze  the  tuneful  chimings  of  "  Old  Hundred." 

Borne  on  the  sturdy  shoulders  of  the  Veteran  Keserve  Corps, 
the  coffin,  with  its  sacred  dust,  was  taken  into  the  hall 
rotunda. 

Meanwhile  the  eight  hundred  choristers  without,  chanted 
with  fine  effect  and  in  perfect  harmony  the  magnificent  "  Pil 
grims'  Chorus,"  from  Tannhauser,  and  afterward  as  the  solemn 
procession  wound  slowly  along  the  spiral  stairway,  the  singers 
gave  the  startling  "  Chorus  of  the  Spirits,"  by  Schubert.  The 
interior  of  the  rotunda  presented  at  this  moment  a  beautiful 
though  mournful  spectacle.  The  entire  circle  was  covered  up, 
representing  a  marque,  the  walls  were  formed  of  National, 
State,  and  city  flags,  extending  from  dome  to  level.  Across 
these  flags  ran  a  winding  chain  of  black  paramatto,  which 
formed  a  deep  hem  as  it  were,  bordering  the  partitions  made 
by  the  flags.  At  the  rear  of  the  rotunda,  fronting  the  cata 
falque,  was  Carpenter's  portrait  of  the  late  Mr.  Lincoln,  the 
frame  studded  with  silver  stars  and  edged  around  with  black. 
The  skylight  was  covered  with  black,  causing  a  subdued  light 
to  pervade  the  interior,  which  was  mellowed  by  the  lights  from 
two  chandeliers  on  each  side  of  an  inclined  plane  at  the  head 
of  the  stairs,  through  which  the  light  permeated  by  means  of 
ground  glass  globes. 

On  this  plane,  which  formed  a  portion  of  the  catafalque,  the 
coffin  was  placed ;  after  which  the  troops  retired,  policemen 
were  stationed  at  the  head  of  either  stairway,  and  sentries  stood 
at  all  the  doors. 

The  coffin  resting  on  the  plane  formed  a  base  line  for  the 
magnificent  catafalque,  which  fronted  on  the  rotunda,  opening 
also  into  the  Governor's  Room.  The  front  of  the  canopy  pre 
sented  the  appearance  of  a  dark  square,  on  which  rested  an 
elliptical  Gothic  arch  extending  across  the  whole  width  of  the 
square  or  parallelogram  at  the  base  of  the  arch.  Its  height 
from  the  peak  of  the  arch  to  the  base  of  the  structure  was 
twenty  feet,  the  width  ten  feet,  and  the  depth  twelve  feet. 
The  exterior  adornments  were  plain,  elegant,  and  proper.  The 


FROM  WASHINGTON  TO  SPRINGFIELD.  183 

summit  or  peak  of  the  arch  was  topped  by  an  eagle,  in  silver, 
which  slightly  relieved  the  sombre  aspect  of  all.  The  wings 
were  folded,  the  head  or  beak  slightly  drooped.  In  the  centre, 
under  the  eagle,  was  a  bust  of  Mr.  Lincoln,  also  in  silver.  The 
base  of  the  arch  of  the  canopy  was  fine  cloth.  The  two  sides 
of  the  canopy  were  adorned  with  urns  covered  with  black 
cloth.  The  drapery  in  front  of  the  arch,  inside,  was  lined  with 
white  silk.  Inside  the  catafalque  the  black  was  unrelieved,  save 
by  the  dots  of  silver  stars  here  and  there  through  the  surface,  and 
underneath,  standing  at  the  four  angles,  were  marble  busts  of 
Washington,  Webster,  Jackson,  and  Clay.  The  interior  cover 
ing  was  black  cloth  and  velvet,  the  canopy  overhead  being 
lined  with  fluted  cloth,  radiating  in  folds  from  the  middle  to 
the  sides.  The  rest  was  all  plain  black  cloth  or  black  velvet. 
The  two  pillars  of  the  City  Hall,  standing  on  each  side  of  the 
catafalque,  were  wrapped  in  the  national  colors,  heavily  draped 
with  crape  and  black  silk. 

So  soon  as  all  was  ready,  Mrs.  Charles  E.  Strong,  accom 
panied  by  General  Burn  side,  entered  the  catafalque,  and 
placed  on  the  coffin  a  most  beautiful  arrangement  of  flowers. 
On  a  ground,  shield-shaped,  of  scarlet  azalias  and  double 
nasturtions,  was  a  cross  of  pure  white,  made  of  japonicas 
and  orange  blossoms — an  offering  as  rich  and  beautiful,  as  it 
was  chaste  and  simple. 

As  soon  as  the  moment  arrived  for  the  admission  of  the 
public,  the  immense  mass  who  had  been  waiting  patiently  for 
hours  began  to  pour  in. 

Guided  by  the  sentries  and  the  police,  the  crowd  pushed  on 
at  the  rate,  now  of  fifty,  now.  of  thirty  a  minute,  averaging, 
perhaps,  during  the  first  watch,  thirty-five  a  minute.  Few 
words  were  spoken,  few  tears  shed,  but  over  all  and  pervading 
all  was  a  deep  tone  of  sympathy,  of  regret,  of  respectful  regard 
for  the  President  who  had  gone.  A  noticeable  feature  was  the 
preponderance,  at  first,  of  young  girls — shop  girls,  apparently, 
between  the  ages  of  sixteen  and  twenty. 

To  many  there  seemed,  indeed,  less  feeling  in  New  York 
than  elsewhere,  less  sorrow,  but  not  less  respect. 

From  this  time  till  it  left  the  City  Hall  five  officers  were  on 
watch,  relieved  every  two  hours.  Among  these  many  are  il 
lustrious  for  services  in  the  late  war.  Generals  Hunter,  Peck, 


1 84  LINCOLN  MEMORIAL. 

Anderson,  Yan  Vliet,  St.  George  Cook,  Meagher,  Admiral 
Paulding,  Commodore  Ringgold. 

All  night  long  the  tide  of  people  poured  on  in  great  masses ; 
thinking  that  everybody  else  would  avail  themselves  of  the  day 
time,  they  had  waited  until  night,  and  the  consequence  was 
that  where  there  were  thousands  before,  tens  of  thousands  now 
stood  helpless  in  the  face  of  the  impossible  achievement  be 
fore  them.  From  the  west  gate  of  the  Park  twenty  deep  stood 
the  crowd,  three  blocks  long ;  down  Murray  street,  twenty- 
abreast,  stood  a  second  crowd,  two  blocks  long ;  across  Print 
ing-house-square  in  masses,  away  up  Chatham  street  until  Mul 
berry  street  was  touched,  stood,  not  a  crowd,  but  a  deep  dense 
mass. 

At  12  o'clock  precisely,  the  members  of  the  Concordia,  Ar- 
monia  Quartette  Club,  and  German  Club,  all  of  Hoboken, 
some  eighty  in  number,  including  the  President.  Hugo  Menzel, 
and  the  leader,  F.  A.  Sorge,  moved  from  the  Astor  House,  and 
were  conducted  to  the  rotunda  by  Sergeant  Robinson,  of  the 
Twenty-sixth  Precinct.  Ranging  themselves  on  the  left  of  the 
stairway  they  gave  forth  a  mighty  volume  of  sound,  harmoni 
ous  in  utterance,  sublime  in  conception. 

On  the  25th  of  April,  the  metropolis  took  its  final  leave  of 
the  remains  of  Abraham  Lincoln,  and  after  a  farewell  more 
grand  and  imposing  than  any  demonstration  in  the  previous 
experience  of  this  country,  the  sacred  ashes  started  on  their 
journey  westward.  New  York  may  well  feel  proud  of  the 
display,  and  will  never  forget  the  great  pageant,  the  magnitude 
and  splendor  of  which  no  city  in  the  world  can  ever  excel.  The 
formation  of  the  procession  began  early,  while  yet  a  long  line 
of  people,  some  of  whom  had  been  attending  on  the  pavement 
there  all  night,  were  steadily  pushing  their  way  forward  tow 
ards  the  entrance  of  the  City  Hall  for  a  hurried  glimpse  of  the 
remains.  No  business  was  done  in  any  part  of  the  city,  and 
everybody  seemed  bent  either  on  finding  his  place  in  the  ranks 
of  the  procession,  or  on  getting  a  place  to  see  it  pass.  Every 
window  on  Broadway  and  the  other  streets  of  the  route  was  of 
course  occupied  by  a  dozen  or  so  of  spectators,  those  at  which 
seats  were  to  be  sold  finding  eager  purchasers  at  any  price  de 
manded.  Every  foot  of  sidewalk  was  lined  along  its  edge  with 
waiting  men  and  women.  Narrow  cornices  and  ledges  several 


FROM  WASHINGTON  TO  SPRINGFIELD.  185 

stories  high  furnished  seats  for  some  whose  elevated  and  seem 
ingly  dangerous  positions  made  one  dizzy  even  to  look  at. 
Platforms  were  erected  on  the  sidewalks  at  frequent  intervals, 
the  seats  on  which  were  in  great  demand.  Where  the  avenue 
traversed  by  the  procession  was  intersected  by  cross  streets, 
hacks,  carts,  and  trucks  were  drawn  up  and  afforded  a  large 
number  of  excellent  seats.  The  sidewalks  were  packed  from 
the  curbstone  to  the  wall  with  an  assemblage  which  it  required 
all  the  efforts  of  the  large  police  force  in  attendance  to  keep 
from  overflowing  into  the  street,  and  all  this  long  before  the 
hour  designated  for  the  starting  of  the  procession. 

Meanwhile  the  eight  divisions  of  which  the  column  was  to 
consist  were  assembling  and  forming  in  line  in  the  different 
streets  assigned  for  them.  The  military  formed  chiefly  on 
Broadway,  and  before  the  procession  moved  the  lines  of  sol 
diery  extended  from  the  City  Hall  the  whole  distance  to  Four 
teenth  street.  In  the  narrow  streets  in  the  vicinity  of  the  hall 
were  arranged  the  component  parts  of  the  civic  procession,  and 
it  seemed  as  if  every  court  and  alley  was  made  the  rallying 
point  of  some  organization  with  its  banner  and  long  line  of  men 
in  dark  clothing.  The  omnibuses  and  coaches  endeavoring  to 
make  their  way  up  or  down  town  were  forced  to  take  some  very 
long  detours  on  every  trip,  and  sometimes  found  themselves 
completely  surrounded  by  such  throngs  that  they  were  com 
pelled  to  give  up  the  journey  altogether.  Men  and  women 
were  still  hurrying  by  the  bier  in  the  City  Hall,  where  lay  the 
silent  corpse,  for  the  escort  of  which  through  the  city  so  many 
thousands  were  preparing. 

The  journeys,  with  the  inevitable  dust  and  frequent  exposures 
to  the  air,  had  their  effect  upon  the  remains  which  no  em- 
balmers  could  wholly  provide  against,  and  the  view  for  which 
many  were  so  eager  had  none  of  those  attractions  which  some 
times  invest  the  remains  of  the  lost  and  loved. 

At  twenty  minutes  to  twelve  o'clock  the  doors  of  admission 
were  closed,  and,  although  at  least  one  hundred  and  fifty  thou 
sand  had  been  admitted,  immense  crowds  were  disappointed. 
Preparations  were  now  made  to  close  the  coffin,  Archbishop 
McCloskey  being  one  of  the  last  who  gazed  upon  it.  The  ap 
pointed  bearers  took  their  places  beside  the  coffin,  and  amid 
the  "brilliant  crowd  of  Generals,  Admirals,  Consuls,  and  distin- 


186  LINCOLN  MEMORIAL. 

guished  men  awaited  the  moment.  When  it  was  near  one 
o'clock,  six  of  them  raised  it  on  their  shoulders,  and  to  the  toll 
ing  of  the  bell  and  the  tap  of  the  drum  the  body  was  borne  out 
again  into  the  open  air  in  sight  of  the  countless  thousands,  and 
through  the  double  line  formed  by  the  Seventh  Kegiment,  to 
the  funeral  car  prepared  for  the  occasion.  This  was  fourteen 
feet  long  at  its  longest  part,  eight  feet  wide,  and  fifteen  feet  one 
inch  in  height.  On  the  main  platform  which  was  five  feet  from 
the  ground,  was  erected  a  dais  six  inches  in  height,  at  the  cor 
ners  of  which  were  columns  holding  a  canopy,  which,  curving 
inwards  and  upwards  towards  the  centre,  was  surmounted  by  a 
miniature  temple  of  liberty. 

The  platform  was  entirely  covered  with  fine  black  cloth, 
drawn  tightly  over  the  body  of  the  car,  and  reaching  to  within 
a  few  inches  of  the  ground,  edged  with  silver  bullion  fringe. 
Over  this  hung  graceful  festoons  of  the  same  material,  spangled 
with  silver  stars,  and  edged  also  with  silver  bullion.  At  the 
base  of  each  column  were  three  American  flags,  slightly  inclined, 
festooned,  covered  with  crape.  The  columns  were  black,  cov 
ered  with  vines  of  myrtle  and  camelias. 

The  canopy  was  of  black  cloth,  drawn  tightly,  and  from  the 
base  of  the  temple  another  draping  of  black  cloth  fell  in  grace 
ful  folds  over  the  first ;  while  from  the  lower  edges  of  the  can 
opy  depended  festoons,  also  of  black  cloth,  caught  under  small 
shields.  The  folds  and  festoons  were  richly  spangled  and 
trimmed  with  bullion.  At  each  corner  of  the  canopy  was  a  rich 
plume  of  black  and  white  feathers. 

The  temple  of  liberty  was  represented  as  being  deserted,  hav 
ing  no  emblems  of  any  kind  in  or  around  it  save  a  small  flag  on 
top,  at  half  mast.  The  inside  of  the  car  was  lined  with  white 
satin,  fluted,  and  from  the  centre  of  the  roof  was  suspended  a 
large  gilt  eagle,  with  outspread  wings,  covered  with  crape,  bear 
ing  in  its  talons  a  laurel  wreath,  and  the  platform  around  the 
coffin  was  strewn  with  laurel  wreaths  and  flowers  of  various 
kinds. 

The  car  was  drawn  by  sixteen  gray  horses,  with  coverings  of 
black  cloth,  trimmed  with  silver  bullion,  each  led  by  a  colored 
groom,  dressed  in  the  usual  habiliments  of  mourning,  with 
streamers  of  crape  on  their  hats. 

On  this  the  body  was  now  placed,  all  present  reverently  un- 


FROM  WASHINGTON  TO  SPRINGFIELD.  187 

covering,  and  the  band  of  the  Seventh  playing  a  funeral  march. 
All  seemed  to  feel  the  solemnity  of  the  moment. 

The  procession  then  formed  around  the  car  ;  the  Sergeants  of 
the  Reserve  Corps  surrounding  the  remains  with  drawn  sabres, 
and  the  Seventh  in  a  hollow  square. 

FIRST   DIVISION. 

Police  in  a  solid  phalanx  cleared  the  way,  and  then  a  body 
of  dragoons,  in  their  gay  attire,  opened  the  march  of  the  pro- 
cesssion.  Four  generals  and  a  number  of  staff  officers  followed  : 
then  came  the  Second  Division  N.  Y.  S.  N.  G.,  the  Duncan 
Light  Artillery  of  Brooklyn ;  the  Fifty-second  Regiment  of  in 
fantry,  Colonel  Cole;  the  Forty-Seventh,  Colonel  Meserole; 
the  Twenty-third  Regiment,  Colonel  Pratt,  all  bearing  crape 
on  their  arms,  and  their  colors  cased.  These  closed  the  Fifth 
Brigade.  The  Seventh-Regiment  of  Cavalry,  the  next  in  order, 
was  followed  by  the  Twenty-eighth  and  Fourteenth  Regiments, 
the  latter  with  its  tattered  colors  proudly  borne  from  Bull  Run 
to  Spottsylvania.  The  Thirteenth,  another  Brooklyn  Regiment, 
succeeded. 

The  First  Division  K  Y.  S.  K  G.,  the  New  York  City  Regi 
ments,  followed,  preceded  by  the  garrison  of  Hart's  Island,  a  fine 
body  of  veterans.  The  Seventy-ninth,  with  its  record  of  gallant 
deeds  in  Yirginia,  Carolina,  and  Tennessee;  the  Sixty-ninth, 
Fifty-fifth,  Seventy-first,  Twenty-second  and  others,  whose 
renown  will  now  be  undying,  moved  onward  in  solid  columns, 
their  tattered  colors  proclaiming  them  to  be  no  longer  mere 
carpet  knights.  The  Fourth  Artillery,  Colonel  Teller,  closed 
the  division. 

The  whole  military  pageant  was  grand.  The  eighteen  city 
regiments  in  the  parade,  with  their  batteries  and  officers  made 
a  force  of  at  least  ten  thousand  men.  Those  from  Brooklyn 
and  the  Regulars  were  nearly  half  that  number,  the  whole  in 
line  of  formation,  or  double  line,  extending  from  Barclay  street 
to  Twenty-fifth  street,  besides  six  blocks  on  Canal  street,  and 
around  Union  Square,  a  distance  in  all  of  four  miles  and  a 
half. 

The  Seventh  Regiment  succeeded,  followed  by  a  battalion  of 
marines,  and  other  officers  of  the  army  and  navy  then  in  New 
York,  including  Major-General  Palmer,  Brigadier-Generals 


188  LINCOLN  MEMORIAL. 

Meagher,  Este,  Hunt,  Kiernan,  Admiral  Paulding,  Commodores 
Ringgold  and  Engle,  with  some  French  naval  officers. 

Then  followed  Major-Gen eral  Dix  and  staff,  preceding  the 
guard  of  honor,  which  consisted  of  a  detachment  from  the 
Seventh  Regiment,  formed  two  deep  and  in  hollow  square,  in 
side  of  which  marched  the  veteran  guard  surrounding  the  re 
mains  of  the  illustrious  dead  from  Washington. 

As  the  funeral-car  passed  on,  a  simultaneous  hush  seemed  to 
come  over  the  entire  crowd ;  the  men  reverently  lifted  their 
hats,  and  all  eyes,  many  of  which  were  moist  with  tears,  were 
fastened  on  the  car  and  coffin  from  the  time  of  its  appearance 
till  it  passed  out  of  sight ;  then  there  was  a  moment  of  death 
like  stillness,  when  the  pent-up  feelings  of  the  immense  throng 
seemed  to  relieve  themselves  with  a  simultaneous  sigh. 

Many  waited  to  see  no  more  of  the  procession  as  it  passed  on 
in  its  regular  order,  which  was,  the  guard  of  honor,  followed  by 
a  troop  of  cavalry  as  escort  to  Brigadier-General  Hall,  Grand 
Marshal,  with  his  aids,  after  which  came  the  Second  Division. 

THE  SECOND  DIVISION. 

This  division,  which  comprised  the  representatives  of  the 
State,  county,  and  city  governments  of  this  and  other  cities  and 
States,  representatives  of  foreign  nations,  etc.,  formed  a  very 
prominent  feature  of  the  grand  procession. 

The  order  of  arrangements  agreed  upon  by  the  committee, 
owing  to  the  immense  number  who  turned  out  to  do  honor  to 
the  occasion,  had  to  be  temporarily  abandoned,  and  the  various 
sub-divisions  were  compelled  to  form  in  line  in  some  of  the  ad 
joining  streets. 

The  carriages  provided  for  the  foreign  representatives,  and 
delegations  from  the  States  and  Territories  of  the  United  States, 
were  formed  in  line  in  Chambers  street,  the  right  resting  on 
Broadway,  and  the  federal  officers  of  the  Custom  House,  Sur 
veyors  Office,  Post  Office,  and  the  collectors,  assessors,  and 
deputies  of  the  United  States  Internal  Revenue,  United  States 
marshals,  and  the  judges  and  officers  of  the  United  States  courts, 
formed  on  Centre  street,  the  head  of  the  line  resting  on  the 
corner  of  City  Hall  square  and  Try  on  row. 

The  foreign  representatives  were  dressed  in  full  court  costume, 
wearing  on  their  persons  the  insignia  of  their  rank.  Some  of 


FROM  WASHINGTON  TO  SPRINGFIELD.  189 

their  uniforms  were  of  the  most  gorgeous  description,  and  at 
tracted  particular  attention.  Many  of  them  wore  side-arms, 
and  all  wore  the  usual  badge  of  mourning. 

The  whole  division  was  in  charge  of  N.  B.  Laban,  assisted  by 
William  M.  Tweed,  Jr.,  as  aid;  the  second  in  command  being 
Colonel  Yan  Brunt,  "W.  K.  Yermilyea,  Jr.,  and  S.  R.  Brunell 
acting  as  aids. 

The  following  is  the  order  in  which  this  division  took  its 
place  in  the  procession : — 

The  members  of  both  Boards  of  the  Common  Council,  twenty 
abreast,  preceded  by  their  Sergeant-at-Arms,  all  wearing  the  usual 
mourning  badge  on  the  left  arm,  and  carrying  in  their  hands  their 
staves  of  office  shrouded  in  crape,  the  attaches  of  both  boards  follow 
ing  in  their  proper  places. 

Next  in  order  came  the  delegations  that  accompanied  the  remains 
from  Washington,  followed  by  delegations  from  the  Common  Coun 
cils  of  Washington,  Baltimore,  Philadelphia,  Brooklyn,  New  Haven, 
Jersey  City,  and  other  cities. 

Comptroller  Brennan,  City  Inspector  Boole,  Commissioner  Miller. 

Board  of  Croton  Commissioners,  headed  by  President  Stephens. 

Counsel  to  Corporation. 

City  Chamberlain  Devlin  and  clerks. 

Board  of  Fire  Commissioners. 

Board  of  Appeals  of  Fire  Department. 

Chief  Engineer  Decker  and  assistants. 

Supervisors,  with  their  President  and  Sergeant-at-Arms. 

Commissioners  Bell,  Nicholson,  Bowen,  and  Brennan. 

Board  of  Police  Commissioners — Messrs.  Acton,  Berger,  McMur- 
ray,  and  Bosworth,  with  their  clerks. 

Board  of  Education,  headed  by  President  McLean. 

The  Faculty  of  the  Free  Academy,  with  the  venerable  President 
Webster  at  their  head. 

The  Central  Park  Commissioners. 

Tax  Commissioners  and  clerks. 

Commissioners  of  Emigration. 

Coroners  and  their  deputies,  Recorder  Hoffman,  and  City  Judge 
Russell. 

Board  of  Police  Magistrates,  Judges  Barnard,  Sutherland,  In- 
graham,  and  clerks. 

Judges,  attended  by  their  clerks  and  officers,  wearing  appropriate 
emblems  of  mourning. 

District  Attorney  Hall  and  assistants,  with  clerks. 


190  LINCOLN  MEMORIAL. 

County  Clerk  Conner,  and  other  county  officials. 

The  Collector's  office,  in  the  absence  of  Mr.  Draper,  was  repre 
sented  by  Deputy  Collectors  Clinch  and  Embury,  accompanied  by 
the  Collector's  private  secretary  and  the  officers  of  the  department. 

Surveyor  Wakeman  and  his  deputies. 

Naval  Officer  Dennison,  deputies,  clerks,  and  other  attaches  of  the 
office. 

The  Post  Office  Department,  headed  by  Postmaster  Kelly.  A 
very  handsome  black  banner,  fringed  with  silver  lace,  and  sur 
mounted  by  a  small  gilt  eagle,  pendent  from  the  beak  of  which  was 
a  small  mourning  wreath,  was  borne  in  front,  with  the  name  of  the 
department  in  silver  letters  inscribed  in  the  centre. 

Collectors  and  Assessors  of  Internal  Revenue,  with  their  officers, 
clerks,  and  attaches. 

The  United  States  Marshal's  office  was  represented  by  Joseph 
Thompson,  first  deputy.  Captain  Lansing  and  the  officers  of  the 
old  Independent  Continental  Guard,  dressed  in  full  uniform,  formed 
the  escort  to  the  officers  of  the  Marshal's  office  and  the  officers  of 
the  Federal  courts  and  United  States  District  Attorney's  office. 

Judge  Benedict  represented  the  United  States  Court  for  the  East 
ern  District  of  New  York. 

The  Sub-Treasurer,  clerks,  and  employees  of  the  Assay  Office  took 
their  place  in  the  line  after  the  officers  of  the  United  States  courts. 
All  these  civic  Federal  organizations  marched  twenty  abreast,  and 
formed  a  solid  line  extending  from  the  front  of  the  City  Hall,  through 
City  Hall  square,  Centre  and  Chambers  street,  to  the  office  of  the 
United  States  Marshal. 

The  officers  of  the  United  States  Navy-yard,  of  Brooklyn,  headed 
by  Capt.  Case,  and  the  ex-officers  of  the  United  States  Army,  and  the 
officers  and  ex-officers  of  the  United  States  Volunteers,  brought  up  the 
rear  of  this  division.  The  time  occupied  by  the  division  in  passing 
a  given  point  was  nearly  an  hour;  and,  at  a  moderate  estimate, 
there  must  have  been  nearly,  if  not  quite,  twelve  thousand  persons 
comprised  in  this  part  of  the  procession. 

THIRD   DIVISION. 

Closely  following  the  Second  Division  came  the  Third 
Division. 

This  division  was  led  by  Colonel  Frank  E.  Howe,  Grand  Marshal, 
and  his  aids,  J.  A,  Stevens,  Jr.,  and  Major  James  R.  Smith,  mounted 
on  splendid  gray  horses,  and  wearing  mourning-scarfs  of  black  silk 
over  the  shoulder.  They  were  succeeded  by  the  band  and  drum 


FROM  WASHINGTON  TO  SPRINGFIELD.  191 

corps  of  the  Twelfth  United  States  infantry,  from  Fort  Hamilton, 
who  were  immediately  in  front  of  a  detachment  of  about  forty  of  the 
Hawkins  Zouaves,  carrying  old  battle-flags  draped  in  mourning, 
under  Lieutenant  Jackson.  The  medical  faculty  were  next  repre 
sented,  and  were  succeeded  by  the  clergy,  on  foot,  among  whom 
were  the  following: — Most  Rev.  Archbishop  McCloskey,  Very  Rev. 
Dr.  Starrs,  V.  G.,  Rev.  Francis  McNierny,  Rev.  J.  P.  Thompson, 
Rev.  R.  Hitchcock,  Rev.  Mr.  Mooney,  Rev.  Mr.  McMahon,  Rev. 
Dr.  Thompson,  Rev.  J.  B.  Dunne,  Rev.  U.  H.  Blair,  Rev.  H.  S.  Ste 
vens,  Rev.  Mr.  Loomis,  Rev.  0.  Eastman,  Rev.  Wm.  Binnet,  Rev, 
J.  H.  Orter,  Rev.  Julius  Hone,  Rev.  John  T.  Elmendorf,  Rev.  Mr. 
Huntington,  Rev.  Dr.  Hedge,  Rev.  Dr.  Western,  and  Rev.  C.  Meheny. 

The  members  of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce,  wearing  the  mourn 
ing  badges  of  the  Chamber,  followed,  headed  by  General  Strong  as 
Grand  Marshal.  It  is  worthy  of  remark  that  one  of  the  oldest  mem 
bers  of  the  Chamber,  Colonel  Murray,  who  was  present,  and  marched 
on  foot  the  whole  route,  walked  in  the  funeral  procession  of  General 
Washington. 

These  were  succeeded  by  the  officers  of  the  Associated  Banks, 
and  a  delegation  representing  the  New  York  Board  of  Fire  Insur 
ance  Companies. 

These  were  followed  by  the  Athenaeum  Club,  Win.  T.  Blodget, 
President,  numbering  about  three  hundred  persons,  wearing  appro 
priate  mourning  badges,  and  the  Century  Club,  Mr.  G.  Bancroft, 
President,  also  numbering  about  three  hundred  persons,  all  wear 
ing  crape  and  badges,  and  headed  by  the  banners  of  their  respective 
clubs. 

The  Union  League  Club,  Mr.  Wm.  P.  Jones,  Marshal,  came  next, 
headed  by  the  band  of  the  Fifth  regiment  United  States  Army,  and 
numbered  about  five  hundred  persons,  all  of  w4iom  wore  mourning 
badges.  These  were  again  succeeded  by  the  Union  General  Com 
mittee,  John  H.  White,  Marshal;  the  Tammany  General  Committee, 
Noah  Childs,  Marshal;  and  the  Mozart  General  Committee,  preceded 
by  their  sergeants-at-arms,  and  wearing  the  usual  mourning  badges, 
and  numbering  in  the  aggregate  about  eight  hundred  men. 

The  delegation  of  the  Union  League  of  America,  which  followed 
next,  headed  by  the  Newark  band,  mustered  in  great  numbers, 
reaching  in  the  total  nearly  five  thousand  men,  and  were  com 
manded  by  Charles  H.  Marshall.  They  marched  in  sub-divisions, 
each  headed  by  a  band  and  drum  corps,  and  by  flags  heavily  draped 
with  black. 

The  German  Central  Committee,  Mr.  Conlopy,  Marshal,  wearing 
mourning  emblems,  and  headed  by  their  banner  and  band,  and  num- 


192  LINCOLN  MEMORIAL. 

bering  about  two  hundred  and  fifty  persons,  followed,  and  were  sue- 
ceeded  by  the  Historical  Society  of  the  city  of  New  York,  Richard 
Warren,  Chairman,  with  band  and  banner. 

The  Republican  German  Central  Committee,  G.  F.  Steinbruner, 
Marshal,  numbering-  about  two  hundred  and  fifty  members  with 
banner  and  band,  followed,  and  were  again  succeeded  by  the  citi 
zens  of  the  Pacific  coast,  numbering  about  one  hundred  and  fifty 
persons,  headed  by  the  colossal  figure  of  a  California  hunter,  dressed 
in  a  complete  hunting  suit,  and  bearing  a  heavy  rifle  draped  in 
mourning. 

The  rear  of  the  division  was  brought  up  by  the  Cadets  of  Temper 
ance,  and  the  Grand  Division  of  the  Sons  of  Temperance,  in  full  re 
galia,  and  numbering  about  four  hundred  men. 

THE   FOURTH   DIVISION. 

The  fourth  division  was  composed  exclusively  of  the  Masonic 
fraternity  and  other  orders.  If  the  nearly  total  absence  of  the 
usual  regalia  hindered  the  lodges  from  presenting  the  imposing 
appearance  which  such  a  large  body  of  men  arrayed  in  the  bril 
liant  insignia  of  their  order  would  undoubtedly  exhibit,  yet,  at 
tired  in  uniform  black  habiliments,  and  aided  only  by  simple, 
unpretending  mourning  badges  and  sprigs  of  acacia — the  em 
blem  of  immortality — worn  by  them,  their  appearance  was 
striking  in  the  extreme,  and  appropriate  to  the  mournful 
occasion. 

This  division  was  headed  by  General  Hobart  Ward,  Marshal,  and 
his  aids,  and  a  brass  band,  and  were  followed  by  the  lodges  of  the 
Free  and  AcceptecLMasons  of  New  York,  Brooklyn,  Williamsburg, 
Greenpoint,  and  Harlem. 

These  were  succeeded  by  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows, 
headed  by  their  band  and  banner,  and  which  consisted  of  the  Grand 
Lodge  and  nineteen  subordinate  lodges,  numbering  altogether  one 
thousand  members.  The  next  was  the  Independent  Order  of  Red 
Men,  in  front  of  whom  was  borne  three  massive  links  of  a  chain 
draped  with  crape,  followed  by  their  banner  also  covered  with  black. 
The  eighteen  lodges  composing  this  sub-division  numbered  about 
fifteen  hundred  men. 

The  fourteen  lodges  of  the  Bnai  Bareth.  or  Sons  of  the  Covenant, 
came  next,  preceded  by  their  band  and  banner,  and  numbered  about 
fifteen  hundred  members. 

The  Free  Sons  of  Israel,  consisting  of  nine  lodges,  with  their 


FROM  WASHINGTON  TO  SPRINGFIELD  193 

band,  succeeded  them,  and  were  headed  by  a  very  large  white  and 
black  banner,  with  the  word  "Lincoln"  in  the  centre,  and  around 
it  the  words,  "  The  father  of  this  country  is  dead;  the  nation  mourns 
for  him." 

The  next  in  order  were  Abraham  Lodge,  No.  1,  0.  B.  A.,  number 
ing  about  forty-eight  members;  and  the  Sclavonic  Union  Society, 
A.  B.  Zaremba,  Master,  consisting  of  about  three  hundred  members. 
These,  again,  were  succeeded  by  the  order  of  Bnai  Morsch,  which 
carried  two  beautiful  colored  banners,  and  numbered  about  four 
hundred  persons.  The  Chebra  Anshe  Emuno,  Martin  Stark,  Presi 
dent,  numbering  one  hundred  members,  followed;  after  which  the 
only  order  in  the  procession  which  wore  the  full  regalia  appeared — 
namely,  the  United  Brother's  Lodge,  No.  1 — with  red  scarfs,  red 
aprons,  and  other  insignia  of  their  Order.  This  lodge  was  about 
one  hundred  strong. 

THE   FIFTH   DIVISION. 

This  Division  was  composed  of  Irish  societies.  Green  and 
gold,  mingled  unhappily  with  the  solemn  badges  of  the  grave, 
were  the  devices  which  each  man  wore  in  the  ranks. 

The  United  Sons  of  Erin,  with  a  banner  heavily  draped,  numbered 
about  one  thousand  men,  each  wearing  the  green  collar  tipped  with 
gold,  and,  in  some  instances,  draped. 

The  Ancient  Order  of  Hibernians,  in  strong  force — numbering, 
perhaps,  two  thousand  men.  They  were  headed  by  a  splendid  drum 
corps,  and  the  melancholy  notes  of  "The  Blackbird" — which  are 
familiar  to  every  Irishman — played  on  the  fife  and  drum,  was  their 
funeral  dirge. 

The  Society  of  the  Immaculate  Concption. 

St.  Peter's  Temperance  Society. 

Next  the  cadets  of  St.  James's  Temperance  Society,  followed  by 
that  body  in  large  numbers.  The  cadets  numbered  one  hundred 
and  thirty-one  boys,  dressed  neatly  in  green  jackets  and  red  capes, 
with  green  trimmings.  On  the  left  lapel  of  their  jacket  they  wore 
the  likeness  of  the  lamented  President,  together  with  the  following 
inscription: — "A  nation  mourns  the  departed  patriot,  statesman,  and 
martyr." 

St.  Bridget's  Mutual  Benevolent  and  Burial  Society  next  followed. 

Then  came  the  Father  Mathew  T.  A.  B.  societies  in  the  following 
order: — Young  Men's  Father  Mathew  T.  A.  B.  Society  of  Brooklyn, 
No.  1,  eight  hundred  strong.  Father  Mathew  Union  Benevolent 

13 


194  LINCOLN  MEMORIAL. 

Total  Abstinence  Society  of  New  York,  headed  by  their  cadets. 
Branch  No.  1,  of  the  same  society;  Father  Mathew  Society,  No.  2, 
of  Brooklyn;  Assumption  Society,  of  Brooklyn,  headed  by  cadets; 
Father  Mathew  Society,  No.  2,  of  New  York,  with  cadets;  Father 
Mathew  Society,  No.  3,  of  Brooklyn,  E.  D.,  with  cadets;  Father 
Mathew  Society,  No.  3,  of  New  York;  Father  Mathew  Society,  No. 
5,  of  Brooklyn;  Father  Mathew  Society,  No.  6,  of  Greenpoint,  with 
cadets;  Father  Mathew  Society,  No.  4,  of  New  York,  with  cadets; 
Father  Mathew  Society,  No.  5,  of  New  York,  with  cadets;  Young 
Men's  Father  Mathew  Total  Abstinence  Benevolent  Society,  of 
New  York. 

THE    SIXTH   DIVISION. 

The  New  York  Caulkers'  Association  numbered  one  thousand 
strong.  In  front  they  carried  a  handsome  obelisk,  elaborately 
draped  in  mourning,  with  a  dial  on  either  side,  stopped  at  twenty- 
two  minutes  past  seven,  with  suitable  inscriptions. 

'Longshoremen's  Union  Protective  Association,  No.  2.  This  organ 
ization  was  headed  by  their  society  banner,  with  inscriptions. 

The  New  York  and  Brooklyn  Sawyer's  Associations,  headed  by  a 
splendid  banner  draped  in  mourning,  six  hundred  strong. 

New  York  Steam  Boiler  Makers'  Association,  one  thousand 
strong,  headed  by  a  magnificent  banner,  draped  in  the  most  elabo 
rate  manner. 

Waiters'  Protective  Benevolent  Association,  which  appeared  in 
strong  force. 

The  Cooper's  Benevolent  Society. 

THE    SEVENTH   DIVISION. 

This  division  consisted  entirely  of  various  trades  and  societies. 

The  American  Protestant  Association  turned  out  in  full  numbers 
— three  thousand. 

The  Workingmen's  Union  delegation  from  the  different  trades  was 
very  well  represented.  The  total  number  of  men  was  estimated  at 
five  thousand,  the  dry  goods  clerks  alone  being  represented  by  over 
eight  hundred.  The  house  carpenters  were  also  very  well  represented. 

The  New  York  Caledonian  Club,  numbering  two  hundred,  pre 
sented  a  very  fine  appearance,  the  members  all  wearing  black 
rosettes,  with  the  badge  of  the  association  in  the  centre. 

The  Italian  Society,  Ceres  Union,  National  Glee  Club,  Island, 
Rosedale  Clubs,  the  Olympic,  Friendly  Sons  and  Knights  of  St. 
Patrick,  followed. 


FEOM  WASHINGTON  TO  SPRINGFIELD.  195 

The  German  Societies  succeeded,  taking  their  positions  in 
the  following  order : 

New  York  Sharpshooters,  Captain  Louis  Geisler,  forty  men,  in 
green'  uniform,  and  with  badges  of  mourning. 

The  German  Bakers  (employers),  about  seven  hundred  men. 
These  form  two  associations,  of  which  Messrs.  Jacob  Eidt  and  John 
Dexheimer  are  the  respective  Presidents.  They  bore  two  banners, 
the  United  States  flag  and  the  bakers'  banner,  dressed  in  mourning. 

The  New  York  Turn  Verein,  President  Metzner,  in  a  body,  num 
bering  four  hundred  men. 

The  Turner  Tambour  Corps,  twenty  men. 

Turner  Sharpshooters,  forty  men. 

The  Turner  Zoeglings  Verein,  forty  members. 

Turner  delegates  from  Bloomingdale,  Brooklyn,  New  Brooklyn, 
East  New  York,  Strattonport,  Jersey  City,  and  Hudson  City,  num 
bering  in  all  about  two  hundred  men.  The  Turners  appeared  in 
their  Turner  dress,  and  wore  white  linen  coats.  They  bore  in  the 
procession  flags  and  banners  dressed  in  mourning. 

The  veterans  of  the  Turner  regiment,  President  Strippel,  fifty 
men.  They  bore  the  old  regimental  colors  and  battle  flag  dressed 
in  mourning. 

The  veterans  of  the  Twenty-ninth  regiment,  President  Rudolph 
Carl;  forty  men. 

Blenker's  veterans,  President  Rosenberg;  thirty-six  men. 

Veterans  of  the  Garibaldi  regiment,  President  Adam  Urner;  one 
hundred  and  fifty  men,  who  bore  the  old  battle-flag. 

Veterans  of  the  Steuben  (volunteer)  regiment,  President  Carl 
Kapf;  thirty-six  men. 

Then  followed  the  Social  Reform  Societies,  which  includes  the 
Cabinetmakers'  Association,  numbering  at  least  one  thousand  men. 
About  a  dozen  flags  and  banners,  all  dressed  in  mourning,  were 
borne  by  them. 

Then  followed  the  Arbeiter  Bund  (Working  Men's  Union),  three 
hundred  men;  the  German  Carvers,  two  hundred  men;  the  German 
Cigarmakers'  Association,  President  August  Koch,  four  hundred 
and  fifty  men;  Normandie  Aid  Society,  fifty  men. 

THE   EIGHTH    DIVISION 

Comprised  Brooklyn  Societies  and  Citizens,  Colonel  E  .J. 
Fowler,  Marshal. 

War  Fund  Committee,  composed  of  the  most  prominent  citizens 
of  Brooklyn,  under  command  of  J.  S.  Stranahan,  Esq.,  assisted  by 


196  LINCOLN  MEMORIAL, 

Messrs.  A.  A.  Low,  Luther  B.  Wyman,  G.  T.  Pierrepont,  E.  Griffith, 
and  Mr.  Fiske. 

King's  County  Medical  Society,  headed  by  Dr.  Bennet. 

Hose  Company,  No.  17,  Samuel  Bouton,  Foreman. 

Temperance  Cadets,  No.  1  and  2,  each  numbering  one  hundred 
and  fifty  boys,  carrying  a  huge  banner  draped  in  deep  mourning. 

They  were  succeeded  by  the  Father  Mathew  and  St.  Ann's  Totu 
Abstinence  Benevolent  Society;  the  'Longshoremen  of  Brooklyn: 
St.  James's  Roman  Catholic  Benevolent  Society;   Shamrock  Benev 
olent  Society. 

The  line  was  closed  by  about  1000  Brooklyn  citizens,  preceded 
by  a  banner  borne  by  six  men,  inscribed  as  follows: 

"  CITIZENS  OF  THE  FIFTH  WARD  OF  BROOKLYN. 

The  hand  of  the  Assassin  has  entwined  the  name  of  Abraham  Lincoln  in  a 

wreath  of  immortality." 

Following  the  Eighth  division  were  the  colored  population 
of  New  York,  who,  though  deprived  of  an  invitation  to  join 
the  grand  pageant,  nevertheless,  when  informed  of  the  action 
taken  by  the  military  authorities,  were  only  too  glad  to  pay 
the  last  sad  tributes  of  respect  to  their  great  benefactor.  Hav 
ing  formed  in  Reade  street,  they  patiently  awaited  the  arrival 
of  the  left  of  the  Eighth  division,  and  then  joined  in  the  pro 
cession,  numbering  at  least  two  thousand  persons.  They  were 
preceded  by  a  banner  bearing  the  following  inscription : 

"ABRAHAM  LINCOLN,  OUR  EMANCIPATOR." 
On  the  reverse  side  of  which  were  the  following  words : 
"TO  MILLIONS  OF  BONDSMEN  HE  LIBERTY  GAVE." 

All  along  the  route,  and  particularly  in  Union  Square,  the 
colored  people  joining  in  the  procession  were  vehemently  ap 
plauded  by  the  crowded  assemblages. 

This  immense  procession,  almost  every  man  wearing  some 
emblem  of  mourning,  pressed  steadily  on  along  the  appointed 
route  in  solid  lines,  amid  a  multitude  of  spectators  such  as  has 
seldom  gathered  together  on  earth.  Every  house  and  store 
was  elosed  and  draped  in  mourning.  Inscriptions,  pictures, 
monuments,  attested  the  deep  feeling  of  the  people  so  suddenly 
and  fiendishly  deprived  of  its  elected  chief.  The  spectators 
numbered  hundreds  of  thousands,  the  citizens  of  the  great  me- 


FROM  WASHINGTON  TO  SPRINGFIELD.  197 

tropolis  and  the  countless  tides  that  had  poured  in  by  railway 
and  steamboat.  For  hours  they  awaited  the  coming  of  the 
procession  ;  and  during  the  four  hours  its  passage  occupied,  all 
was  order  and  quiet :  a  feeling  of  sadness  and  bereavement 
had  settled  on  all.  The  procession  passed  up  Broadway  to 
Fourteenth  street,  thence  through  Fifth  Avenue  to  Thirty- 
fourth,  and  across  that  wide  street  to  Ninth  Avenue,  whence  it 
passed  into  the  Hudson  River  Railroad  depot. 

At  three  o'clock,  the  head  having  reached  the  depot,  the 
column  halted  and  formed  in  line  facing  to  the  west,  to  allow 
the  funeral  car  and  escort  of  mourners  to  pass.  At  half-past 
three  the  approach  of  the  car  bearing  the  honored  remains  of 
the  mortal  body  of  the  sixteenth  President  of  the  United 
States  was  made  known  by  solemn  refrains  of  bands  and  the 
muffled  roll  of  martial  drums.  As  it  passed  fresh  bands  and 
other  drums  caught  up  the  melancholy  notes,  regiments  brought 
their  arms  to  a  present,  officers  saluted  with  their  swords  and 
colors  draped  in  the  badges  of  mourning  dipped  before  the  last 
of  the  mortal  man  who,  as  the  head  of  the  nation,  devoted  and 
sacrificed  his  life  to  that  constitution  which  has  given  a  deep 
significance  to  the  colors  of  the  American  republic.  During 
the  passing  of  the  car  the  silence  of  the  crowd  was  doubly  pro 
found.  Not  a  voice,  not  a  whisper,  not  a  sound  was  heard, 
save  the  tumultuous  heaving  of  sorrowed  hearts,  often  poured 
out  in  irrepressible  tears,  or  deep  inspirations  of  souls  full  of 
sadness,  and  prayers  for  the  perpetuation  oi  the  nation  and  the 
protection  of  the  widow  and  orphan  children  of  the  deceased. 

The  funeral  escort  rounded  Ninth  A  venue  into  Twenty-ninth 
street  in  the  following  order  : 

Mounted  troop,  Eighth  regiment,  New  York. 

Superintendent  Kennedy. 

Inspectors  Carpenter  and  Leonard. 

Broadway  Squad. 

Grand  Marshal  and  Aids. 

Grafulla's  Band. 

Seventh  regiment. 

General  Dix  and  Guard  of  Honor,  mounted. 

Escort.  THE    CATAFALQUE.  Escort. 

Naval  officers. 


196  LINCOLN  MEMORIAL. 

The  Mayor  and  Governor  Fenton. 

Carriages  containing  foreign  representatives. 

Color  guard,  Irish  brigade. 

General  Dix's  bodyguard. 

Police. 

A  stair  case,  with  a  top  made  so  as  to  rest  on  the  side  of  the 
catafalque,  and  reaching  from  the  street,  was  then  raised  in  po 
sition  ;  the  sergeants  of  the  Invalid  corps  ascended  it,  and, 
raising  the  coffin,  descended  with  their  burden  to  the  side 
walk.  At  this  moment  the  guard  presented  arms  and  all  the 
spectators  uncovered.  The  hearse-bearers,  preceded  by  General 
Dix,  then  marched  through  the  entrance  into  the  depot,  where 
they  were  met  by  the  guard  of  honor  who  escorted  the  remains 
from  Washington. 

The  word  was  given,  and  the  parties  who  were  to  accompany 
the  remains  entered  the  cars  assigned  to  them.  At  four  o'clock 
precisely  the  pilot  engine  steamed  out  of  the  depot,  and  two 
minutes  after,  to  the  sound  of  a  funeral  dirge,  the  funeral  train 
departed  ;  arid  thus  New  York  paid  the  last  homage  of  respect 
to  all  that  was  mortal  of  Abraham  Lincoln. 

SERVICES  AT  UNION  SQFABE. 

Meanwhile  the  appointed  services  began  at  Union  square. 
The  platform  erected  for  the  ceremonies  was  placed  just  op 
posite  the  Maison  Doree.  Hound  the  platform  a  reverent  mass 
of  people  were  congregated,  filling  up  the  square  in  front  and 
for  a  considerable  distance  on  either  side.  The  mourning  de 
corations  of  the  platform  were  very  appropriate.  In  front, 
before  the  stand  of  the  orator  of  the  evening,  the  circular  rail 
ing  was  lowered,  a  small  bench  draped  with  black  being  pro 
vided  for  the  occasion.  On  either  side  of  this  central  space 
were  the  American  flags,  drawn  close  to  the  staff  and  heavily 
draped  in  black.  On  the  left  side  was  a  broken  pillar,  fes 
tooned  in  mourning,  on  either  side  of  which  were  marble 
figures  of  Hope  and  Justice. 

Shortly  after  five  o'clock  the  gentlemen  of  the  committee 
entrusted  with  the  closing  ceremonies  came  upon  the  stand. 
Almost  immediately  afterwards, 

Ex-Governor  King  opened  the  proceedings  by  introducing 
the  Rev.  Dr.  Tyng,  who  offered  up  an  appropriate  prayer. 


FROM  WASHINGTON  TO  SPRINGFIELD.  199 


ORATION  BY  THE  HON.  GEO.  BANCROFT. 
A  few  words  from  the  chairman  introduced  the  orator  of  the 
occasion  to  the  assemblage. 

Our  grief  and  horror  at  the  crime  which  has  clothed  the  continent 
in  mourning  find  no  adequate  expression  in  words  and  no  relief  in 
tears.  The  President  of  the  United  States  of  America  has  fallen  by 
the  hands  of  an  assassin.  Neither  the  office  with  which  he  was  in 
vested  by  the  approved  choice  of  a  mighty  people,  nor  the  most  simple- 
hearted  kindliness  of  nature,  could  save  him  from  the  fiendish  pas 
sions  of  relentless  fanaticism.  The  waitings  of  the  millions  attend 
his  remains  as  they  are  borne  in  solemn  procession  over  our  great 
rivers,  along  the  sea-side,  beyond  the  mountains,  across  the  prairie, 
to  their  final  resting  place  in  the  valley  of  the  Mississippi.  The 
echoes  of  his  funeral  knell  vibrate  through  the  world,  and  the  friends 
of  freedom  of  every  tongue  and  in  every  clime  are  his  mourners. 
Too  few  days  have  passed  away  since  Abraham  Lincoln  stood  in  the 
flush  of  vigorous  manhood  to  permit  any  attempt  at  an  analysis  of 
his  character  or  an  exposition  of  his  career.  We  find  it  hard  to  be 
lieve  that  his  large  eyes,  which  in  their  softness  and  beauty  ex 
pressed  nothing  but  benevolence  and  gentleness,  are  closed  in  death; 
we  almost  look  for  the  pleasant  smile  that  brought  out  more  vividly 
the  earnest  cast  of  his  features,  which  were  serious  even  to  sadness. 
A  few  years  ago  he  was  a  village  attorney,  engaged  in  the  support 
of  a  rising  family,  unknown  to  fame,  scarcely  named  beyond  his 
neighborhood  ;  his  administration  made  him  the  most  conspicuous 
man  in  his  country,  and  drew  on  him  first  the  astonished  gaze,  and 
then  the  respect  and  admiration  of  the  world.  Those  who  come 
after  us  will  decide  how  much  of  the  wonderful  results  of  his  public 
career  is  due  to  his  own  good  common  sense,  his  shrewd  sagacity, 
readiness  of  wit,  quick  interpretation  of  the  public  mind  ;  his  rare 
combination  of  fixedness  and  pliancy  ;  his  steady  tendency  of  pur 
pose  ;  how  much  to  the  American  people,  who,  as  he  walked  with 
them  side  by  side,  inspired  him  with  their  wisdom  and  energy;  and 
how  much  the  overruling  laws  of  the  moral  world,  by  which  the  self 
ishness  of  evil  is  made  to  defeat  itself.  But  after  every  allowance, 
it  will  remain  that  members  of  the  government  which  preceded  his 
administration  opened  the  gates  to  treason,  and  he  closed  them  ; 
that  when  he  went  to  Washington  the  ground  on  which  he  trod 
shook  under  his  feet,  and  he  left  the  republic  on  a  solid  foundation; 
that  traitors  had  seized  public  forts  and  arsenals,  and  he  recovered 
them  for  the  United  States,  to  whom  they  belonged  ;  that  the  capi- 


200  LINCOLN  MEMOIML. 

tal  which  he  found  the  abode  of  slaves,  is  now  only  the  home  of  the 
free  ;  that  the  boundless  public  domain  which  was  grasped  at,  and, 
in  a  great  measure,  held  for  the  diffusion  of  slavery,  is  now  irrevoc 
ably  devoted  to  freedom;  that  then  men  talked  a  jargon  of  a  balance 
of  power  in  a  republic  between  Slave  States  and  Free  States,  and 
now  the  foolish  words  are  blown  away  forever  by  the  breath  of 
Maryland,  Missouri,  and  Tennessee  ;  that  a  terrible  cloud  of  politi 
cal  heresy  rose  from  the  abyss  threatening  to  hide  the  light  of  the 
sun,  and  under  its  darkness  a  rebellion  was  rising  to  undefinable 
proportions.  Now  the  atmosphere  is  purer  than  ever  before,  and  the 
insurrection  is  vanishing  away  ;  the  country  is  cast  into  another 
mould,  and  the  gigantic  system  of  wrong  which  had  been  the  work 
of  more  than  two  centuries,  is  dashed  down,  we  hope  forever.  And 
as  to  himself  personally  :  he  was  then  scoffed  at  by  the  proud  as  un 
fit  for  his  station,  and  now  against  the  usage  of  later  years,  and  in 
spite  of  numerous  competitors,  he  was  the  unbiassed  and  the  un 
doubted  choice  of  the  American  people  for  a  second  term  of  service. 
Through  all  the  mad  business  of  treason  he  retained  the  sweetness 
of  a  most  placable  disposition  ;  and  the  slaughter  of  myriads  of  the 
best  on  the  battle-field  and  the  more  terrible  destruction  of  our  men 
in  captivity  by  the  slow  torture  of  exposure  and  starvation,  had 
never  been  able  to  provoke  him  into  harboring  one  vengeful  feeling 
or  one  purpose  of  cruelty. 

How  shall  the  nation  most  completely  show  its  sorrow  at  Mr. 
Lincoln's  death  ?  How  shall  it  best  honor  his  memory  ?  There  can 
be  but  one  answer.  He  was  struck  down  when  he  was  highest  in 
its  service,  and  in  strict  conformity  of  duty  was  engaged  in  carry 
ing  out  principles  affecting  its  life,  its  good  name,  and  its  rela 
tions  to  the  cause  of  freedom  and  the  progress  of  mankind.  Grief 
must  take  the  character  of  action,  and  breathe  itself  forth  in  the  as 
sertion  of  the  policy  to  which  he  fell  a  sacrifice.  The  standard  which 
he  held  in  his  hand  must  be  uplifted  again,  higher  and  more  firmly 
than  before,  and  must  be  carried  on  to  triumph.  Above  every  thing 
else,  his  proclamation  of  the  first  day  of  January,  1863,  declaring 
throughout  the  parts  of  the  country  in  rebellion  the  freedom  of  all 
persons  who  had  been  held  as  slaves,  must  be  affirmed  and  main 
tained.  Events,  as  they  rolled  onward,  have  removed  every  doubt 
of  the  legality  and  binding  force  of  that  proclamation.  The  country 
and  the  rebel  government  have  each  laid  claim  to  the  public  service 
of  the  slave,  and  yet  but  one  of  the  two  can  have  a  rightful  claim  to 
such  service.  That  rightful  claim  belongs  to  the  United  States, 
because  everyone  born  on  their  soil,  with  the  few  exceptions  of  the 
children  of  travelers  and  transcient  residents,  owes  them  a  primary 


FROM  WASHINGTON  TO  SPRINGFIELD.  201 

allegiance.  Every  one  so  born  has  been  counted  among  those  re 
presented  in  Congress  ;  every  slave  has  ever  been  represented  in 
Congress — imperfectly  and  wrongly  it  may  be — but  still  he  has 
been  counted  and  represented.  The  slave  born  on  our  soil  always 
owed  allegiance  to  the  general  government.  It  may  in  time  past 
have  been  a  qualified  allegiance,  manifested  through  his  master,  as 
the  allegiance  of  a  ward  through  its  guardian,  or  of  an  infant  through 
its  parent.  But  when  the  master  became  false  to  his  allegiance  the 
slave  stood  face  to  face  with  his  country,  and  his  allegiance,  which 
may  before  have  been  a  qualified  one,  became  direct  and  immediate. 
His  chains  fell  off,  and  he  stood  at  once  in  the  presence  of  the  na 
tion,  bound,  like  the  rest  of  us,  to  its  public  defence.  Mr.  Lincoln's 
proclamation  did  but  take  notice  of  the  already  existing  right  of  the 
bondman  to  freedom.  The  treason  of  the  master  made  it  a  public 
crime  for  the  slave  to  continue  his  obedience;  the  treason  of  a  State 
set  free  the  collective  bondmen  of  that  State.  This  doctrine  is  sup 
ported  by  the  analogy  of  precedents.  In  the  times  of  feudalism  the 
treason  of  the  lord  of  the  manor  deprived  him  of  his  serfs  ;  the 
spurious  feudalism  that  existed  among  us  differs  in  many  respects 
from  the  feudalism  of  the  middle, ages  ;  but  so  far  the  precedent 
runs  parallel  with  the  present  case  ;  for  treason  the  master  then, 
for  treason  the  master  now,  loses  his  slaves.  In  the  middle  ages  the 
sovereign  appointed  another  lord  over  the  serfs  and  the  land  which 
they  cultivated  ;  in  our  day  the  sovereign  makes  them  masters  of 
their  own  persons,  lords  over  themselves. 

It  has  been  said  that  we  are  at  war,  and  that  emancipation  is  not 
a  belligerent  right.  The  objection  disappears  before  analysis.  In 
a  war  between  independent  powers  the  invading  foreigner  invites 
to  his  standard  all  who  will  give  him  aid,  whether  bond  or  free,  and 
he  rewards  them  according  to  his  ability  and  his  pleasure  with  gifts 
or  freedom  ;  but  when  at  peace  he  withdraws  from  the  invaded 
country  he  must  take  his  aiders  and  comforters  with  him  ;  or  if  he 
loaves  them  behind,  where  he  has  no  court  to  enforce  his  decrees,  he 
can  give  them  no  security,  unless  it  be  by  the  stipulations  of  a 
treaty.  In  a  civil  war  it  is  altogether  different.  There,  when  re 
bellion  is  crushed,  the  old  government  is  restored,  and  its  courts  re 
sume  their  jurisdiction.  So  it  is  with  us  ;  the  United  States  have 
courts  of  their  own  that  must  punish  the  guilt  of  treason,  and  vin 
dicate  the  freedom  of  persons  whom  the  fact  of  rebellion  has  set 
free.  Nor  may  it  be  said  that  because  slavery  existed  in  most  of 
the  States  when  the  Union  was  formed,  it  cannot  rightfully  be  inter 
fered  wit.i  now.  A  change  has  taken  place,  such  as  Madison  fore 
saw,  and  for  which  he  pointed  out  the  remedy.  The  constitution  of 


202  LINCOLN  MEMORIAL. 

.  States  had  been  transformed  before  the  plotters  of  treason  carried 
them  away  into  rebellion.  When  the  Federal  constitution  was 
formed  general  emancipation  was  thought  to  be  near,  and  every 
where  the  respective  legislatures  had  authority,  in  the  exercise  of 
their  ordinary  functions,  to  do  away  with  slavery  ;  since  that  time 
the  attempt  has  been  made  in  what  are  called  slave  States  to  make 
the  condition  of  slavery  perpetual ;  and  events  have  proved,  with 
the  clearness  of  demonstation,  that  a  constitution  which  seeks  to 
continue  a  caste  of  hereditary  bondmen  through  endless  generations 
is  inconsistent  with  the  existence  of  republican  institutions.  So, 
then,  the  new  President  and  the  people  of  the  United  States  must 
insist  that  the  proclamation  of  freedom  shall  stand  as  a  reality;  and, 
moreover,  the  people  must  never  cease  to  insist  that  the  constitution 
shall  be  so  amended  as  utterly  to  prohibit  slavery  on  any  part  of 
our  soil  forevermore. 

Alas!  that  a  State  in  our  vicinity  should  withhold  its  assent  to 
this  last  beneficent  measure;  its  refusal  was  an  encouragement  to 
our  enemies  equal  to  the  gain  of  a  pitched  battle,  and  delays  the  only 
hopeful  method  of  pacification.  The  removal  of  the  cause  of  the  rebel 
lion  is  not  only  demanded  by  justice ;  it  is  the  policy  of  mercy,  making 
room  for  a  wider  clemency;  it  is  the  part  of  order  against  a  chaos  of  con 
troversy  ;  its  success  brings  with  it  true  reconcilement,  a  lasting  peace, 
a  continuous  growth  of  confidence  through  an  assimilation  of  the  so 
cial  condition.  Here  is  the  fitting  expression  of  the  mourning  of  to-day. 

And  let  no  lover  of  his  country  say  that  this  warning  is  uncalled 
for.  The  cry  is  delusive,  that  slavery  is  dead.  Even  now"  it  is 
nerving  itself  for  a  fresh  struggle  for  continuance.  The  last  winds 
from  the  South  waft  to  us  the  sad  intelligence  that  a  man,  who  had 
surrounded  himself  with  the  glory  of  the  most  brilliant  and  most 
varied  achievements,  who  but  a  week  ago  was  named  with  affec 
tionate  pride  among  the  greatest  benefactors  of  his  country  and  the 
ablest  generals  of  all  time,  has  usurped  more  than  the  whole  power 
of  the  executive,  and  under  the  name  of  peace  has  revived  slavery 
and  given  security  and  political  power  to  traitors  from  the  Chesa 
peake  to  the  Rio  Grande.  Why  could  he  not  remember  the 
dying  advice  of  Washington — never  to  draw  the  sword  but  for 
self-defence  or  the  rights  of  his  country;  and,  when  drawn,  never 
to  sheath  it  till  its  work  should  be  accomplished  ?  And  yet  from 
this  bad  act,  which  the  people  with  one  united  voice  condemn,  no 
great  evil  will  follow  save  the  shadow  on  his  own  fame.  The  in 
dividual,  even  in  the  greatness  of  military  glory,  sinks  into  insig 
nificance  before  the  resistless  movements  in  the  history  of  man. 
No  one  can  turn  back  or  stay  the  march  of  Providence. 


FROM  WASHINGTON  TO  SPRINGFIELD.  203 

No  sentiment  of  despair  may  mix  with  our  sorrow.  We  owe  it 
to  the  memory  of  the  dead,  we  owe  it  to  the  cause  of  popular  liberty 
throughout  the  world,  that  the  sudden  crime  which  has  taken  the 
life  of  the  President  of  the  United  States  shall  not  produce  the  least 
impediment  in  the  smooth  course  of  public  affairs.  This  great  city, 
in  the  midst  of  unexampled  emblems  of  deeply  seated  grief,  has 
sustained  itself  with  composure  and  magnanimity.  It  has  nobly 
done  its  part  in  guarding  against  the  derangement  of  business  or 
the  slightest  shock  to  public  credit.  The  enemies  of  the  Republic 
put  it  to  the  severest  trial;  but  the  voice  of  faction  has  not  been 
heard;  doubt  and  despondency  have  been  unknown.  In  serene  ma 
jesty  the  country  rises  in  the  beauty  and  strength  and  hope  of 
youth,  and  proves  to  the  world  the  quiet  energy  and  the  durability 
of  institutions  growing  out  of  the  reason  and  affections  of  the  people. 
Heaven  has  willed  it  that  the  United  States  shall  live.  The  nations 
of  the  earth  cannot  spare  them.  All  the  worn  out  aristocracies  of 
Europe  saw  in  the  spurious  feudalism  of  slaveholding  their  strongest 
outpost,  and  banded  themselves  together  with  the  deadly  enemies 
of  our  national  life.  If  the  Old  World  will  discuss  the  respective 
advantages  of  oligarchy  or  equality;  of  the  union  of  church  and 
state,  or  the  rightful  freedom  of  religion;  of  land  accessible  to  the 
many,  or  of  land  monopolized  by  an  ever  decreasing  number  of  the 
few — the  United  States  must  live  to  control  the  decision  by  their 
quiet  and  unobtrusive  example.  It  has  often  and  truly  been  ob 
served  that  the  trust  and  affection  of  the  masses  gathers  naturally 
round  an  individual;  if  the  inquiry  is  made  whether  the  man  so 
trusted  and  beloved  shall  elicit  from  the  reason  of  the  people  en 
during  institutions  of  their  own,  or  shall  sequester  political  power 
for  a  superintending  dynasty,  the  United  States  must  live  to  solve 
the  problem.  If  a  question  is  raised  on  the  respective  merits  of 
Timoleon  or  Julius  Ceesar,  of  Washington  or  Napoleon,  the  United 
States  must  be  there  to  call  to  mind  that  there  were  twelve  Caesars, 
most  of  them  the  opprobrium  of  the  human  race,  and  to  contrast 
with  them  the  line  of  American  Presidents. 

The  duty  of  the  hour  is  incomplete,  our  mourning  is  insincere,  if 
while  we  express  unwavering  trust  in  the  great  principles  that  un 
derlie  our  government,  we  do  not  also  give  our  support  to  the  man 
to  whom  the  people  have  entrusted  its  administration.  Andrew 
Johnson  is  now,  by  the  Constitution,  the  President  of  the  United 
States,  and  he  stands  before  the  world  as  the  most  conspicuous  re 
presentative  of  the  industrial  classes.  Left  an  orphan  at  four  years 
old,  poverty  and  toil  were  his  steps  to  honor.  His  youth  was  not 
passed  in  the  halls  of  colleges;  nevertheless  he  has  received  a  tho- 


204  LINCOLN  MEMORIAL. 

rough  political  education  in  statesmanship  in  the  school  of  the 
people,  and  by  long  experience  of  public  life.  A  village  function 
ary;  member  successively  of  each  branch  of  the  Tennessee  Legis 
lature,  hearing  with  a  thrill  of  joy  the  words,  "  The  Union,  it  must 
be  preserved;"  a  representative  in  Congress  for  successive  years; 
Governor  of  the  great  State  of  Tennessee,  approved  as  its  Governor 
by  re-election;  he  was  at  the  opening  of  the  rebellion  a  senator  from 
that  State  in  Congress.  Then  at  the  Capitol,  when  senators,  unre- 
buked  by  the  government,  sent  word  by  telegram  to  seize  forts  and 
arsenals,  he  alone  from  that  Southern  region  told  them  what  the 
government  did  not  dare  to  tell  them — that  they  were  traitors,  and 
deserved  the  punishment  of  treason.  Undismayed  by  a  perpetual 
purpose  of  public  enemies  to  take  his  life,  bearing  up  against  the 
still  greater  trial  of  the  persecution  of  his  wife  and  children,  in  due 
time  he  went  back  to  his  State,  determined  to  restore  it  to  the 
Union,  or  die  with  the  American  flag  for  his  winding  sheet.  And 
now,  at  the  call  of  the  United  States,  he  has  returned  to  Wash 
ington  as  a  conqueror,  with  Tennessee  as  a  free  State  for  his 
trophy.  It  remains  for  him  to  consummate  the  vindication  of  the 
Union. 

To  that  Union  Abraham  Lincoln  has  fallen  a  martyr.  His  death, 
which  was  meant  to  sever  it  beyond  repair,  binds  it  more  closely 
and  more  firmly  than  ever.  The  blow  aimed  at  him  was  aimed,  not 
at  the  native  of  Kentucky,  not  at  the  citizen  of  Illinois,  but  at  the 
man  who,  as  President,  in  the  executive  branch  of  the  government, 
stood  as  the  representative  of  every  man  in  the  United  States.  The 
object  of  the  crime  was  the  life  of  the  whole  people,  and  it  wounds 
the  affections  of  the  whole  people.  From  Maine  to  the  southwest 
boundary  on  the  Pacific  it  makes  us  one.  The  country  may  have 
needed  an  imperishable  grief  to  touch  its  inmost  feeling.  The 
grave  that  receives  the  remains  of  Lincoln  receives  the  martyr  to 
the  Union;  the  monument  which  will  rise  over  his  body  will  bear 
witness  to  the  Union;  his  enduring  memory  will  assist  during 
countless  ages  to  bind  the  States  together,  and  to  incite  to  the  love 
of  our  one  undivided,  indivisible  country.  Peace  to  the  ashes  of 
our  departed  friend,  the  friend  of  his  country  and  his  race.  Happy 
was  his  life,  for  he  was  the  restorer  of  the  Republic;  he  was  happy 
in  his  death,  for  the  manner  of  his  end  will  plead  forever  for  the 
Union  of  the  States  and  the  freedom  of  man. 

As  part  of  the  proceedings  laid  down  by  the  Committee  of 
Arrangements,  the  last  inaugural  of  the  4th  of  March  was  then 
read  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  J.  P.  Thompson. 


FROM  WASHINGTON  TO  SPRINGFIELD.  205 

The  Rev.  W.  H.  Boole  read  the  94th  Psalm,  and  the  Kev. 
Dr.  Rogers  made  an  appropriate  prayer. 

Rabbi  Isaacs,  of  the  Broadway  Tabernacle,  then  read  se 
lections  from  the  Holy  Scriptures  and  offered  a  prayer,  after 
which  Rev.  Dr.  Osgood  recited  the  following : 

ODE   FOE   THE   FUNERAL   OF   ABKAHAM   LINCOLN. 
BY  W.  C.  BRYAtfT. 

0  slow  to  smite  and  swift  to  spare, 

Gentle  and  merciful  and  just ! 
Who,  in  the  fear  of  God,  did'st  bear, 

The  sword  of  power— a  nation's  trust : 

In  sorrow  by  thy  bier  we  stand, 

Amid  the  awe  that  hushes  all, 
And  speak  the  anguish  of  a  land 

That  shook  with  horror  at  thy  fall. 

Thy  task  is  done  —the  bond  are  free ; 

We  bear  thee  to  an  honored  grave, 
Whose  noblest  monument  shall  be 

The  broken  fetters  of  the  slave. 

Pure  was  thy  life  ;  its  bloody  close 

Hath  placed  thee  with  the  sons  of  light, 

Among  the  noble  host  of  those 
Who  perished  in  the  cause  of  right. 

Dr.  Osgood  also  read  the  first  three  verses  of  a  new  national 
hymn,  composed  by  Mr.  Bryant  at  the  request  of  the  reader, 
and  circulated  among  a  few  personal  friends : — 

"Thou  hast  put  all  things  under  his  feet" 

Oh,  North,  with  all  thy  vales  of  green ! 

Oh.  South,  with  all  thy  palms  ! 
From  peopled  towns  and  fields  between 

Uplift  the  voice  of  psalms. 
Raise,  ancient  East !  the  anthem  high, 
And  let  the  youthful  West  reply. 

£ 

Lo,  in  the  clouds  of  heaven  appears 

God's  well-beloved  Son ; 
He  brings  a  train  of  brighter  years  ; 

His  kingdom  is  begun  ; 
He  comes  a  guilty  world  to  bless 
With  mercy,  truth,  and  righteo 


206  LINCOLN  MEMORIAL. 

0  Father  !  haste  the  promised  hour, 

When  at  His  feet  shall  lie 
All  rule,  authority,  and  power, 

Beneath  the  ample  sky  ; 
When  He  shall  reign  from  pole  to  pole, 
The  Lord  of  every  human  soul. 

The  Chairman  then  announced  that  as  the  Most  Keverend 
Archbishop  McCloskey  was  so  fatigued  from  his  long  attend 
ance  in  the  funeral  cortege  that  he  was  unable  to  be  present  to 
pronounce  the  closing  benediction,  the  venerable  prelate's  ab- 
scence  would  be  filled  by  Professor  Hitchcock. 

Professor  Hitchcock  then  pronounced  the  benediction,  and 
the  ceremonies  were  closed,  an  excellent  band  on  the  platform 
playing  a  national  air. 

FROM  NEW  YORK  TO  ALBANY. 

At  Mount  St.  Vincent,  near  Yonkers,  the  Sisters  of  Charity, 
with  their  two  hundred  pupils,  were  drawn  up  on  the  sward  in 
front  of  the  Academy,  with  veiled  heads,  to  pay  their  respects 
to  the  funeral  train. 

At  Tarrytown,  5.20  p.  M.,  the  surface  of  one  side  of  a  frame 
structure  was  entirely  covered  with  an  American  flag,  trimmed 
in  mourning  and  adorned  with  mottoes.  Near  it  on  a  deco 
rated  platform  were  a  number  of  young  ladies,  with  clasped 
hands,  dressed  in  pure  white,  with  broad,  black  sashes,  appa 
rently  immovable  as  statues.  The  houses  bore  the  usual  signs 
of  grief,  and  one  of  the  prominent  mottoes  read  was  "  Bear 
him  gently  to  his  rest." 

The  crowd  at  Sing  Sing  was  very  large.  The  Cadets  were 
in  line,  and  a  long  row  of  men  with  heads  uncovered,  and  a 
number  of  ladies  dressed  in  white  with  black  sashes,  height- 
enened  the  effect  of  this  interesting  scene.  Minute  guns  were 
fired.  The  most  marked  feature  was  an  arch  over  the  road. 
It  was  apparently  twenty-five  feet  high,  and  eighteen  wide. 
Its  pillars  were  alternately  striped  with  white  and  black.  The 
verges  were  covered  with  black  velvet,  intertwined  with  ever 
greens,  and  prominent  were  the  words,  "  We  mourn  our  coun 
try's  loss,"  and  "  He  died  for  truth."  On  the  keystone  of  the 
arch  was  a  figure  of  Liberty,  her  cap  covered  with  crape. 

The  people  of  Peekskill  were  evidently  mournful  spectators. 
The  train  halted  for  a  short  time.  Minute  guns  were  fired  and 


FROM  WASHINGTON  TO  SPRINGFIELD.  207 

companies  of  military  and  firemen  filed  past  the  funeral  car 
with  heads  uncovered.  Flags  and  mottoes  were  displayed,  and 
a  band  of  music  performed  a  funeral  march,  greatly  adding  to 
the  solemnity  of  the  scene. 

The  station  at  Garrison's,  opposite  West  Paint,  was  adorned 
with  national  flags.  A  company  of  regulars  and  the  West  Point 
Cadets  were  drawn  up  in  line,  officers  of  the  Academy  stand 
ing  with  uncovered  heads.  The  Cadet  band  performed  funeral 
music  in  front  of  the  train.  A  large  number  of  people  col 
lected.  Salutes  were  fired  from  the  other  side  of  the  river  at 
West  Point. 

At  Cold  Spring  the  testimonials  of  respect  for  the  great  de 
parted  were  an  arch  with  suitable  emblems,  under  which  on  a 
raised  pedestal  was  a  young  lady  in  crape  personating  Liberty  ; 
two  lads,  one  a  soldier  and  the  other  a  sailor,  mourning,  formed 
prominent  features.  The  Union  League  formed  a  circle  round 
the  arch.  The  public  authorities,  private  social  organizations, 
and  the  whole  population  were  out  en  masse.  Minute  guns 
were  fired.  The  station  building  was  handsomely  decorated, 
displaying  portraits  of  the  illustrious  dead. 

The  station  at  East  Albany  was  elaborately  and  appropriately 
draped.  Soldiers  and  firemen  escorted  the  funeral  party  across 
the  river.  The  bells  of  Albany  tolled  and  minute  guns  fired, 
and  the  remains  of  Abraham  Lincoln  were  conveyed  to  the 
Capitol. 

It*  had  been  determined  that  the  reception  should  be  with 
the  least  possible  ostentation,  and  the  procession  was  therefore 
confined  to  a  detail  of  three  companies  of  the  10th  and  25th 
Regiments  of  National  Guards,  three  companies  of  firemen 
bearing  torches,  the  State  officers,  members  of  the  Legislature, 
and  city  authorities.  The  streets  were  densely  crowded  on  the 
line.  The  hearse  was  drawn  by  four  white  horses. 

At  the  Capitol  the  coffin  was  removed  from  the  hearse  to  the 
Assembly  Chamber  and  placed  upon  the  catafalque  directly 
under  the  chandelier.  Guards  of  the  State  militia  were  imme 
diately  stationed  in  the  chamber,  halls  and  side-rooms,  while 
companies  from  the  3d  and  21st  Reserve  Corps  were  detailed 
for  duty  on  the  outside  of  the  Capitol. 

At  half-past  one  next  morning  the  coffin  was  opened  and  an 
immense  throng  of  people  about  the  park  permitted  to  enter 


208  LINCOLN  MEMORIAL. 

the  chamber  and  view  the  remains.  They  passed  by  at  the 
rate  of  sixty  or  seventy  a  minute. 

A  low  estimate  fixed  the  number  of  strangers  in  the  cit}* 
at  30,000.  Never  before  had  such  multitudes  gathered  at  the 
capital,  and  everybody  seemed  fully  to  participate  in  the  so 
lemnities.  At  noon  State  street  was  filled  with  a  living  mass 
and  Broadway  and  many  side  streets  were  equally  crowded.  At 
one  P.  M.  the  military,  fire  department,  and  civic  societies 
began  to  form  and  at  two  the  coffin  was  closed.  Fifty  thousand 
men,  women,  and  children  visited  the  remains. 

Soon  after  two  o'clock  the  procession  commenced  to  move 
over  the  prescribed  route,  Franklin  Townsend,  Esq.,  being 
Grand  Marshal.  It  was  composed  of  the  10th  and  25th  Regi 
ments  of  Albany,  the  24th  and  Light  Horse  Battery  of  Troy, 
State  and  city  authorities,  fire  department,  and  a  large  number 
of  civic  societies.  The  military  numbered  2000.  The  proces 
sion  was  thirty  minutes  in  passing  a  given  point,  the  length 
being  over  a  mile. 

State  street,  from  the  Capitol  to  Broadway,  and  Broadway 
from  State  to  Lumber  streets,  altogether  a  distance  exceeding 
a  mile,  was  densely  packed  during  the  march.  Such  a  mass 
of  human  beings  (probably  not  less  than  60,000)  was  never 
before  seen  in  the  streets  of  Albany.  There  were  four  bands, 
each  with  a  full  drum  corps,  in  line ;  and  as  the  procession 
moved  down  the  hill,  the  bands  playing  mournful  airs,  grief 
was  depicted  in  every  face. 

The  hearse,  with  the  coffin  resting  in  an  elegant,  and  ela 
borately-finished  catafalque,  which  was  trimmed  with  white 
silk,  adorned  richly  with  silver  mountings,  and  surmounted  by 
the  eagle,  was  drawn  by  eight  horses. 

At  3.45  the  train  of  newly  finished  cars,  furnished  by  the 
New  York  Central  Railroad  Company,  each  tastefully  draped 
and  trimmed  with  the  emblems  of  sorrow,  was  reached  at  the 
Broadway  crossing  above  Lumber  street,  and  the  coffin  was 
transferred  to  the  hearse  car,  in  which  it  had  been  brought 
from  Washington.  At  four  o'clock  the  remains  moved  from 
Albany. 


FROM  WASHINGTON  TO  SPRINGFIELD.  2G9 


ALBANY  TO  CHICAGO. 

At  Herkimer,  thirty-six  ladies  dressed  in  white,  with  black 
sashes,  each  holding  in  her  hand  a  draped  national  flag,  were 
ranged  near  the  train.  Music  and  minute-guns  greeted  the 
train  on  its  arrival  here.  There  were  appropriate  de 
monstrations  of  respect  everywhere  along  the  route. 

The  funeral  cortege  arrived  at  Syracuse  at  11.50.  At  least 
35,000  people  witnessed  the  passage  of  the  train.  The  firemen 
were  drawn  up  in  line,  and  their  torches  and  the  numerous 
bonfires  lit  up  the  scene  solemnly.  Bells  were  tolling  and  can 
non  booming. 

At  Utica  the  depot  buildings  were  draped  and  flags  at  half- 
mast.  There  were  minute-guns,  dirges,  and  tolling  of  bells. 
At  least  25,000  people  were  gathered  here.  The  train  moved 
on  amidst  the  solemn  music  of  the  bands. 

At  Syracuse  the  depot  was  found  elaborately  and  tastefully 
draped.  In  addition  to  gas  lights,  locomotive  lamps  illuminated 
the  building.  The  bells  were  tolled  and  minute-guns  fired.  A 
band  of  music  performed  dirges  and  one  hundred  voices 
chanted  appropriate  hymns. 

On  entering  Rochester  minute-guns  were  fired  and  bells 
tolled.  The  54th  Regiment,  together  with  the  Reserves,  hos 
pital  soldiers,  and  a  battery,  were  in  line.  The  band  played 
dirges.  The  streets  were  filled  and  the  houses  draped. 

At  Batavia  ex-President  Fillmore  joined  the  party  in  the 
train,  besides  other  prominent  citizens. 

At  Buffalo  a  procession  formed  between  7  and  8  o'clock  and 
marched  to  St.  James  Hall.  The  coffin  was  deposited  in  the 
hall  beneath  a  crape  canopy.  The  Buffalo  St.  Cecilia  Society, 
as  the  remains  were  brought  into  the  hall,  sang  with  deep 
pathos,  "  Rest,  Spirit,  Rest."  The  society  then  placed  a  beau 
tiful  heart  composed  of  white  flowers  at  the  head  of  the  coffin, 
after  which  the  public  were  admitted. 

The  remains  of  President  Lincoln  were  escorted  to  the  cars, 
April  27th,  at  night,  and  left  at  10  for  Cleveland. 

At  Dunkirk  the  platform  was  elaborately  decorated,  and  a 
group  of  young  ladies  representing  the  States  formed  a  pleas 
ing  tableau.  The  train  having  reached  it  at  midnight,  the 

14 


210  LINCOLN  MEMORIAL. 

scene  with  the  glare  of  torch,  the  solemn  music,  the  booming 
of  cannon,  was  deeply  impressive. 

At  Westfield,  a  party  of  ladies,  led  by  one  whose  husband 
(Colonel  Drake)  fell  at  Cold  Harbor,  came  to  place  a  cross  of 
flowers  on  the  coffin. 

At  the  other  stations,  crowds  had  gathered  to  show  their 
respect. 

On  reaching  the  State  line,  Gen.  Dix  and  his  staff  withdrew, 
and  the  Mayor  of  Erie  joined  the  cortege. 

By  3.48  on  the  28th  the  train  entered  Ohio,  and  hurried  on 
through  Kingsville,  Ashtabula,  Saybrook,  Geneva,  Unionville, 
Madison,  Perry,  Paineville,  Mentor  and  Willoughby.  The  de 
pots  at  all  points  were  draped,  and  surrounded  by  respectful 
crowds.  As  the  train  passed  the  bells  tolled  and  minute-guns 
were  fired. 

Governor  Brough  and  his  staff  joined  the  funeral  party  at 
Wickliffe. 

The  train  reached  Cleveland  at  seven  o'clock.  As  the  train 
passed  the  lake  side  of  the  city,  thousands  of  persons  gathered 
on  the  sloping  green  hillsides,  all  having  a  good  view  of  the 
train.  High  up  an  arch  bore  the  inscription,  "  Abraham  Lin 
coln."  It  was  draped  in  mourning,  and  the  supports  covered 
with  alternate  stripes  of  black  and  white.  Immediately  under 
the  arch  was  a  lady  dressed  in  horizontal  bars  of  the  .national 
colors,  to  represent  the  genins  of  Liberty.  She  held  in  her 
hand  a  flag,  and  this,  together  with  her  cap,  was  banded  with 
mourning.  All  places  of  business  were  closed.  Colors  were 
displayed  at  half-mast.  A  national  salute  of  thirty-six  guns 
was  fired,  and  half-hour  guns  were  fired  till  sunset. 

At  Euclid  Street  station  the  coffin  was  placed  in  a  hearse, 
the  roofing  of  which  was  covered  with  the  national  flag,  with 
black  plumes,  and  otherwise  tastefully  and  appropriately 
adorned.  The  military  escort  embraced  Major-General  Hooker 
and  staff,  and  Governor  Brough,  of  Ohio,  and  staff;  and  the 
guard  of  honor  was  followed  in  procession  by  the  United 
States  civil  officers,  veteran  soldiers,  members  of  the  city  coun 
cil  and  city  officers  of  Cleveland  and  other  cities,  members  of 
the  bar,  the  Board  of  Trade,  Knights  Templar,  the  orders  of 
Masons  and  Oddfellows,  temperance  societies,  the  German 
Benevolent  Society,  Fenian  Brotherhood,  St.  Yin  cent  Society, 


FROM  WASHINGTON  TO  SPRINGFIELD.  211 

the  Equal  Rights  League,  &c.,  and  all  the  benevolent  and 
other  associations  and  citizens,  on  foot. 

The  procession  embraced  all  conditions  of  the  people,  and 
presented  a  decidedly  fine  appearance  as  it  moved  through  the 
streets  of  this  truly  beautiful  city  from  Euclid  street  to  Erie, 
down  Erie  to  Superior,  and  thence  to  the  park. 

The  sidewalks  were  densely  crowded  with  mournful  looking 
spectators,  while  thousands  of  persons  beheld  the  cortege  from 
the  steps  and  windows  of  the  beautiful  residences  which  line 
the  entire  route.  Emblems  of  mourning  were  everywhere 
prominent,  together  with  expressive  mottoes.  In  the  park  was 
erected  a  building  especially  for  the  reception  of  the  remains, 
to  which  they  were  now  conveyed.  The  building  was  twenty- 
four  by  thirty-six  feet  in  dimensions,  and  fourteen  feet  high 
from  the  ground  to  the  plate.  The  roof  was  of  pagoda  style,  and 
the  rafters  were  covered  with  white  cloth  over  the  centre  of  the 
main  roof;  and  directly  over  the  catafalque  a  second  roof  was 
raised  about  four  feet,  and  covered  in  like  manner.  The  cata 
falque  consisted  of  a  raised  dais,  four  by  twelve  feet,  on  the 
ground.  The  coffin  rested  on  this  dais  about  two  feet  above 
the  floor.  On  the  four  corners  columns  supported  a  canopy. 
The  columns  were  draped  and  wreathed  with  evergreens  and 
white  flowers,  in  the  most  beautiful  manner.  Black  cloth  as 
curtains,  and  fringed  with  silver,  was  caught  and  looped  back 
to  these  columns.  From  the  centre  of  the  canopy  the  floor  and 
sides  of  the  dais  were  covered  with  black  cloth,  dropping  from 
the  four  corners,  bordered  with  silver  fringe,  and  the  borders 
of  the  cornice,  all  brilliantly  ornamented  with  white  rosettes 
and  stars  of  silver.  The  inside  of  the  canopy  was  lined  with 
black  cloth,  gathered  in  folds,  and  white  and  black  crape 
served  as  plumage  to  the  posts.  At  the  corners  of  the  cata 
falque,  in  the  centre,  was  a  large  star  of  black  velvet,  with 
thirty-six  stars,  one  for  each  State  in  the  Union.  The  floor  of 
the  dais  was  covered  with  flowers,  and  a  figure  of  the  Goddess 
of  Liberty  was  placed  at  the  head  of  the  coffin.  The  ceiling 
of  the  Building  was  gracefully  hung  with  beautiful  festoons  of 
evergreen  and  flowers.  The  four  posts  which  sustain  on  either 
side  the  pagoda  roof  were  hung  with  large  rosettes  of  mingled 
evergreen  and  magnolias  of  two  varieties.  Appropriate  drapery 
hung  from  the  cornice  of  the  building,  and  swung  from  pillar 


212  LINCOLN  MEMORIAL. 

to  pillar  of  the  fairy  structure.  Glass  lamps  were  attached  to  the 
pillars  of  the  catafalque  and  to  other  points  of  the  building,  so  that 
the  remains  could  be  easily  seen  at  night  and  to  good  advantage. 

The  religious  services,  after  the  remains  had  been  placed 
upon  the  dais,  were  performed  by  the  Right  Rev.  Bishop 
Mcllvaine,  who,  in  the  course  of  his  prayer,  asked  the  blessing 
of  heaven  on  the  immediate  family  of  the  deceased,  and  a  sanc- 
tification  of  the  event  which  had  called  the  nation  to  mourn  to 
the  good  of  him  who  had  succeeded  to  the  chief  magistracy. 
He  thon  read  a  part  of  the  funeral  service  of  the  Episcopal 
Church,  slightly  altering  the  text  to  suit  the  occasion.  These 
services  moved  many  of  the  listeners  to  tears. 

The  remains  were  then  exposed  to  public  view.  The  ar 
rangements  were  so  perfect  that  every  one  who  desired  to  see 
them  had  no  difficulty  in  being  gratified. 

The  number  who  witnessed  the  remains  of  the  President 
during  the  day  was  one  hundred  and  eighty  a  minute.  Two 
rows  of  spectators  were  constantly  passing,  one  on  each  side  of 
the  coffin.  The  lid  was  freshly  covered  with  flowers,  in  the 
form  of  harps,  crosses,  and  bouquets,  gathered  at  the  hot-houses 
of  Cleveland,  and  laid  upon  the  coffin  by  ladies  representing 
the  Soldiers'  Relief  Association. 

After  leaving  Cleveland,  Columbia,  Grafton,  and  Wilming 
ton,  Greenwich  and  Crestline  showed  the  usual  signs  of  mourn 
ing,  and,  even  at  that  early  hour,  groups  of  citizens.  At  Card- 
ington,  the  gathering  near  the  handsomely  draped  depot  was 
unusually  large. 

OBSEQUIES  AT  COLUMBUS. 

The  funeral  train  reached  the  capital  of  Ohio  on  the  29th  of 
April,  at  half-past  seven,  and  stopped  so  that  the  funeral  car 
lay  across  High-street.  Again  the  veterans  removed  the  body 
to  a  hearse  prepared  for  its  reception,  and  the  procession  formed, 
Major  John  W.  Skiles,  Grand  Marshal. 

The  88th  Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry,  forming  the  escort, 
marched  first  with  arms  reversed. 

The  officiating  clergyman  and  orator  then  proceeded  to  the 
hearse,  a  fine  structure,  seventeen  feet  long,  eight  and  a  half 
feet  wide,  and  seventeen  and  a  half  feet  from  the  ground  to  the 
apex  of  the  canopy.  The  main  platform  was  four  feet  from 


FROM  WASHINGTON  TO  SPRINGFIELD.  213 

the  ground,  on  which  rested  a  dais  for  the  reception  of  the  coffin, 
twelve  feet  long  by  five  feet  wide,  raised  two  and  a  half  feet 
above  the  platform.  The  canopy  resembled  in  shape  a  Chinese 
pagoda.  The  interior  of  the  roof  was  lined  with  silk  flags,  and 
the  outside  covered  with  black  broadcloth,  as  were  the  dais,  the 
main  platform,  and  the  entire  hearse.  Black  cloth,  festooned, 
depended  from  the  platform,  within  a  few  inches  of  the  ground, 
fringed  with  silver  lace,  and  ornamented  with  heavy  tassels  of 
black  silk. 

Surrounding  the  cornice  of  the  canopy  were  thirty-six  silver 
stars,  and  on  the  apex  and  the  four  corners  were  five  heavy 
black  plumes.  The  canopy  was  appropriately  curtained  with 
black  cloth,  lined  with  white  merino.  On  each  side  of  the  dais 
was  the  word  "  Lincoln  "  in  silver  letters. 

The  hearse  was  drawn  by  six  white  horses,  covered  with 
black  cloth,  which  was  edged  with  silver  fringe.  The  heads  of 
the  horses  were  surmounted  with  large  black  plumes. 

Following  the  hearse  came  the  escort  from  Washington,  in 
open  carriages,  three  abreast.  Next  came  Major-General 
Hooker  and  staff,  mounted ;  Brevet  Brigadier-General  W.  P. 
Richardson  and  staff,  mounted ;  Provost  Marshal  General  Wil- 
cox  and  staff,  mounted ;  and  Brigadier-General  Wager  Swayne 
and  staff,  in  open  carriages. 

Officers  of  the  army  on  duty,  and  temporarily  at  that  post,  on 
foot,  commanded  by  Major  Van  Yoosh,  18th  U.  S.  Infantry, 
and  soldiers  at  the  post  not  on  duty  with  escort,  commanded 
by  Captain  L.  T.  Nichols,  followed  the  carriage  of  General 
Swayne.  The  Committee  of  Arrangements,  the  Reverend 
Clergy,  the  Heads  of  Departments,  the  Mayors  of  Cincinnati 
and  Columbus,  the  Presidents  of  City  Councils  of  said  cities, 
the  City  Councils  of  Cincinnati  and  Columbus,  the  Judges  and 
officers  of  the  United  States  Court,  the  Supreme  Court  of  Ohio, 
and  the  Franklin  County  Courts,  the  Masonic  order,  and  orders 
of  Odd  Fellows  and  Druids,  the  Fenian  Brotherhood,  the  Me 
chanics,  St.  Martin's,  St.  John's,  and  Butcher's  Associations, 
the  Fire  Department,  the  Colored  Masonic  Order,  and  Colored 
Benevolent  Association,  followed  in  regular  order. 

At  about  nine  o'clock  the  head  of  the  procession  arrived  at 
the  west  entrance  of  Capitol  Square.  The  88th  O.  Y.  I.  acting 
as  special  escort,  passed  in  immediately,  forming  lines  in  two 


LINCOLN  MEMORIAL. 

ranks  on  each  side  of  the  passway  from  the  gate  to  the  steps  of 
the  Capitol.  As  the  coffin  passed  toward  the  archway,  the 
bands  struck  tip  a  dirge,  the  high  officials  in  attendance  assumed 
their  places  as  escort,  and  thousands  of  bowed  heads  said,  as 
plainly  as  the  letters  arching  the  entrance,  "  Ohio  Mourns." 

When  the  coffin  was  placed  on  its  flowery  bed,  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Felton  offered  an  appropriate  prayer.  Amid  a.  silence  as  of 
death,  the  coffin  was  then  opened,  and  Mrs.  Hoffner,  the  only 
lady  present,  stepped  softly  forward  and  placed  at  the  foot  of 
the  coffin  an  anchor  composed  of  delicate  white  flowers  and 
evergreen  boughs,  a  wreath  of  the  same  upon  the  breast  of  the 
dead,  and  a  cross  at  the  head. 

The  entrance  ways  of  the  Rotunda  and  the  corresponding 
panels  were  uniformly  draped  with  black  cloth,  falling  in  heavy 
folds  from  the  arches  to  the  floor.  In  the  panels  the  drapings 
were  gathered  to  the  sides  equidistant  from  arch  to  floor,  and 
then  allowed  to  fall  in  full  volume  and  closing  at  the  bottom  as 
at  the  top.  In  three  of  these  central  spaces  thus  formed  were 
grouped  the  war-worn  battle-flags  of  veteran  Ohio  regiments. 
In  the  other  panel,  the  one  between  the  north  and  east  en 
trances,  tastefully  mounted  and  appropriately  draped  was  Mr. 
Powell's  painting,  "Perry's  Victory,"  the  grouping  of  charac 
ters  and  the  sublimity  of  the  scene  represented  adding  mu-ch  to 
the  general  and  impressive  beauty  of  the  Rotunda.  Above  the 
panels  entirely  round  the  dome  were  three  rows  of  festoons, 
with  black  and  white  pendants,  the  whole  joining  appropriately 
the  general  draping  below. 

On  a  platform  with  a  base  of  twenty-one  and  a  half  feet  by 
twenty-eight  feet,  rising  by  five  steps  until  it  presented  a  top 
surface  perhaps  one  half  as  large,  was  placed  the  dais  for  the 
reception  of  the  coffin.  This  platform,  tastefully  carpeted,  the 
rise  of  each  step  dressed  in  black,  wras  ornamented  with  em 
blematical  flowers  and  plants  in  vases  so  arranged  as  to  present, 
with  their  impression  of  beauty,  the  sorrow  for  the  dead.  At 
the  corners  facing  the  west  entrance,  were  large  vases  contain 
ing  beautiful  specimens  of  amaranth,  and  midway  between  them 
a  grand  central  vase  glowing  with  the  richness  and  beauty  of 
the  choicest  flowers  of  the  season. 

A  similar  disposition  of  vases  faced  the  east  entrance,  from 
the  corner  ones  the  flowers  of  the  emblematical  jiistitia  i«ach- 


FROM  WASHINGTON  TO  SPRINGFIELD.  215 

ing  to  the  height  of  the  dais.  Around  these  large  vases  were 
grouped  smaller  ones,  rising  in  gradations  of  beauty  with  the 
steps  of  the  platform.  The  dais  was  most  properly  the  crown 
ing  beauty  of  the  structure,  and  in  a  brief  description  it  is  im 
possible  to  do  it  justice.  .Rectangular  in  form,  with  a  side 
elevation  of  two  feet,  it  was  without  canopy,  and  beautifully 
ornamented.  The  sides  were  covered  with  black  broad  cloth, 
over  which  drooped  from  the  top  festoons  of  white  merino  and 
tassels  of  white  silk.  The  end  facing  the  west  entrance  bore 
inscribed  on  a  black  panel  with  white  border,  in  silver  letters, 
the  word  "  Lincoln."  From  the  festooning  to  the  top,  rose  in 
graceful  swell  a  bed  of  white  roses,  immortelles,  and  orange 
blossoms,  the  pure  white  relieved  only  by  the  deep  fresh  green 
of  the  leaves  and  sprigs  accompanying. 

The  officers,  pall-bearers,  and  committees,  after  looking  upon 
the  remains,  retired;  and,  without  delay,  the  people  com 
menced  moving  in  to  look  upon  the  mortal  remains  of  Abra 
ham  Lincoln. 

First  came  the  various  military  organizations  of  the  proces 
sion — the  men  formed  in  four  ranks,  entering  at  the  west  front, 
moving  without  noise  upon  a  carpeted  way  to  the  catafalque, 
passing  by  twos  on  each  side  of  the  cothn,  the  face  and  upper 
part  of  the  body  being  brought  in  full  view  of  each  individual, 
and  then  those  on  the  right  passing  out  at  the  south,  and  those 
on  the  left  turning  to  the  north.  Then  followed  in  order  the 
various  delegations  of  the  processions,  succeeded  by  the  people 
en  masse.  From  half-past  nine  till  four,  over  fifty  thousand 
viewed  the  remains. 

A  platform  had  been  erected  immediately  in  front  of  the  en 
trance  to  the  Capitol.  After  appropriate  music  by  military 
bands,  and  the  singing  of  a  hymn  by  a  choir,  under  the  direc 
tion  of  J.  A.  Scarritt,  a  prayer,  impressive  in  thought  and 
earnest  in  manner-and  word,  was  offered  by  the  pastor  of  the 
Congregational  Church,  Rev.  Mr.  Goodwin.  A  hymn  was  then 
sung,  and  the  EL  on.  Job  E.  Stevenson,  of  Chillicothe,  delivered 
an  impressive  address. 

At  six  o'clock  in  the  evening,  the  doors  of  the  Capitol  were 
closed,  the  bugle  sounded  the  assembly,  the  soldiers  took  arms, 
and  the  great  procession  began  reforming  for  the  final  escort  to 
the  depot. 


216  LINCOLN  MEMORIAL. 

As  the  body  was  being  brought  out  to  the  funeral-car  at  the 
west  gateway  of  the  Capitol  grounds,  a  national  salute  was  fired. 
Soon  after,  the  procession  moved,  and  the  remains  of  the  Pres 
ident  were  removed  to  the  funeral-car  at  the  depot  of  the  Great 
Central  Railway. 

At  Pleasant  Valley,  great  bonfires  lit  up  the  country  for 
miles.  A  large  concourse  of  citizens  were  assembled  around 
the  depot.  Two  American  flags,  draped  in  mourning,  were 
held  in  hand  by  two  ladies. 

At  Unionville,  O.  (9  p.  M.),  there  were  about  two  hundred 
persons  present,  most  of  them  sitting  in  wagons — the  people 
having  come  in  from  the  country. 

At  Milford,  O.  (9.19  P.  M.),  around  bonfires  were  assembled 
four  hundred  or  five  hundred  people,  who  waved  flags  and 
handkerchiefs  slowly. 

At  Woodstock,  O.  (9.46  p.  M.),  five  hundred  people  were 
present,  and  ladies  were  permitted  to  enter  the  President's  car 
and  strew  flowers  on  the  coffin.  The  Woodstock  Cornet  Band, 
U.  Oushman,  leader,  played  a  dirge  and  hymn.  The  village 
bells  slowly  rang ;  men  stood  silent  with  uncovered  heads.  The 
scene  was  as  affecting  as  it  was  beautiful. 

At  Urbana,  O.  (10.40  p.  M.),  three  thousand  people  present. 
There  was  a  large  cross  on  a  platform,  entwined  with  circling 
wreaths  of  evergreens,  which  was  worked  under  direction  of 
Mrs.  Miles  G.  Williams,  President  Ladies'  Soldiers'  Aid  So 
ciety.  From  the  top  of  the  cross,  and  shorter  arms,  were  hung 
illuminated  colored  transparencies.  On  the  opposite  side  of 
the  track  was  an  elevated  platform,  on  which  were  forty  gentle 
men  and  ladies,  who  sang  with  pathetic  sweetness,  the  hymn 
entitled,  "  Go  to  Thy  Rest."  Large  bonfires  made  night  as 
light  as  day.  Minute-guns  were  fired.  Young  ladies  entered 
the  car  and  strewed  flowers  on  the  martyr's  bier. 

At  Paris,  0.  (11.24  p.  M.),  brilliant  illuminations,  by  which 
might  be  seen  a  number  of  drooped  flags.  A  large  assembly 
stood  in  silence. 

At  Westville  station  crowds  were  gathered  to  pay  respect  to 
the  dead. 

At  Conover,  O.  (11.30  p.  M.),  a  long  line  of  people  two  deep 
were  standing  in  file  ;  on  the  right  little  boys  and  girls,  then 
yonng  men  and  women,  and  on  the  left  elderly  people.  In  the 


FROM  WASHINGTON  TO  SPRINGFIELD.  217 

centre,  supporting  a  large  American  flag,  were  three  young 
ladies,  Miss  Eliza  Throckmorton,  Miss  Nora  Brecount,  and 
Miss  Barnes,  who  chanted  a  patriotic  religious  song  with  a  slow 
and  mournful  air. 

At  Piqua,  O.,  April  30  (12.20  A.  M.),  not  less  than  ten  thous 
and  people  were  assembled.  The  Troy  band  and  the  Piqua 
band  played  appropriate  music,  after  which  a  delegation  from 
the  Methodist  churches,  under  Rev.  Granville  (Colonel)  Moody, 
sang  a  hymn. 

At  Gettysburg,  O.  (1.10  A.  M.),  large  numbers  of  people  were 
congregated  together  around  huge  bonfires.  Drooping  flags 
and  other  evidences  of  mourning  were  seen. 

There  were  like  scenes  at  Richmond  Junction  and  Coving- 
ton,  just  passed. 

At  Greenville,  O.  (1.36  A.  M.),  thirty-six  young  ladies  dressed 
in  white,  slowly  waving  the  star-spangled  banner,  greeted  the 
cortege  here.  Lafayette's  Requium  was  sung  with  thrilling 
effect,  by  a  number  of  ladies  and  gentlemen.  About  five 
hundred  people  were  congregated  on  the  platform.  Company 
C.  28th  Ohio  Infantry,  was  drawn  up  in  line,  with  fire  arms 
reversed.  The  depot  was  tastefully  decorated.  On  either  side 
of  the  depot  were  two  bonfires,  fifteen  feet  high,  which  shed 
most  brilliant  light  all  around  the  train  and  depot. 

At  New  Paris,  O.  (2.41  A.  M.),  great  bonfires  lit  up  the  skies. 
A  crowd  was  gathered  about  with  uncovered  heads.  A  beau 
tiful  arch  of  evergreens  was  formed  above  the  track,  undei 
which  the  train  passed.  The  arch  was  twenty  feet  high  and 
thirty  feet  in  circumference. 

At  "Wiley's,  New  Madison,  and  Weaver's  stations,  mourneif 
were  congregated  to  pay  respect  to  the  passing  dead. 

Gov.  Morton  and  suite  met  the  train  at  Richmond,  which 
was  reached  at  2  A.  M.  All  the  bells  of  this  city  rang  out  their 
solemn  tones  to  awaken  the  citizens,  and  warn  them  to  repair 
to  the  depot.  Red,  white,  and  blue  lamps  were  suspended 
from  the  depot,  and  the  arch  spanning  the  track  was  lighted 
with  the  national  colors. 

At  Cambridge  (3.50  A.  M.),  the  bells  were  tolling  and  guns  fir 
ing  ;  thousands  of  people  at  the  depot.  The  train  passed  undei 
an  arch,  trimmed  with  evergreens  and  surmounted  by  a  female 
figure  representing  the  Goddess  of  Liberty. 


218  LINCOLN  MEMORIAL. 

At  Dublin,  Ind.  (April  30),  an  arch  30  feet  high  dotted  with 
small  Union  flags.  This  place  gave  Abraham  Lincoln  its  en 
tire  vote  at  the  last  Presidential  election,  and  nearly  20,000 
persons  were  assembled. 

At  Louisville,  Ind.  (April  30),  the  depot  was  handsomely 
trimmed.  The  people  were  assembled  in  large  numbers. 

At  Indianapolis  (6  A.  M.),  all  the  avenues  leading  to  the  depot 
were  closely  packed  with  people.  At  seven  o'clock  the  funeral 
train  arrived.  The  military  had  been  drawn  up  extending 
from  Illinois  and  "Washington  streets  to  the  State  House  door. 
The  corpse  was  taken  charge  of  by  the  local  guard  of  soldiers 
under  Col.  Symonson,  through  the  open  ranks  of  the  soldiers 
standing  at  present-arms.  The  procession  took  up  the  line  of 
march  to  the  State  House  in  the  falling  rain,  amid  the  sound 
of  bells  and  firing  of  cannon. 

The  hearse  conveying  the  remains  was  14  feet  long,  6  feet 
wide,  and  23  feet  high,  covered  with  black  velvet.  The  roof 
of  the  car  bore  12  white  plumes  trimmed  with  black,  and  on 
the  loops  was  a  beautiful  eagle  of  silver  gilt.  The  panels 
were  studded  with  large  silver  stars.  The  car  was  drawn  by 
eight  white  horses.  Six  of  these  horses  were  attached  to  the 
carriage  in  which,  four  years  before,  Abraham  Lincoln  rode 
through  Indianapolis,  when  on  his  way  to  Washington  to  be 
inaugurated.  In  all  the  intersecting  streets  were  triple  arches 
adorned  with  evergreens  and  national  flags,  arranged  in  the 
most  tasteful  and  beautiful  manner. 

During  the  performance  of  a  funeral  dirge,  the  tolling  of  bells 
and  booming  of  cannon,  the  coffin  was  carried  to  the  interior 
of  the  State  House,  and  soon  after  exposed  to  public  view.  The 
Sabbath  School  children  were  first  admitted,  and  then  ladies 
and  citizens  severally  passed  through  the  hall  from  north  to 
south.  It  was  designed  to  have  a  grand  military  and  civic 
procession,  with  an  address  by  Governor  Morton  and  other 
exercises,  but  rain  prevented  the  arrangement.  The  remains 
were  escorted  to  the  cars  at  midnight. 

OBSEQUIES  AT  CHICAGO. 

At  Chicago,  May  1,  thousands  upon  thousands  of  people  were 
congregated  at  Park  Place  and  its  vicinity.  From  the  house 
tops,  piazzas,  windows,  steps,  and  doorways,  very  many  specta- 


FROM  WASHINGTON  TO  SPRINGFIELD.  219 

tors  were  watching  with  intense  interest  the  preliminaries  of 
the  procession  and  the  surrounding  scene.  Minute-guns  and 
the  tolling  and  chiming  of  bells  announced  the  arrival  of  the 
President's  remains.  The  great  multitude  stood  in  profound 
silence  and  reverence,  and  uncovered  their  heads  as  the  coffin 
was  borne  to  a  tastefully  constructed  funeral  car,  between  the 
open  ranks  of  the  several  officers  and  civil  escort  from  Wash 
ington.  It  was  carried  under  the  grand  arch  which,  extends 
across  Park  Place.  The  arch  was  of  triple  Gothic  form,  in  length 
spanning  a  distance  of  fifty-one  feet,  and  having  a  depth  of 
sixteen  feet.  The  height  from  the  ground  to  the  center  of  the 
middle  or  main  arch  was  thirty  feet,  with  a  width  of  twenty-four 
feet,  the  side  arches  being  each  eight  feet  wide  and  twenty  feet 
in  height.  The  total  height  of  the  centre  arch  and  pinnacles 
was  about  forty  feet.  Each  of  the  arches,  all  presenting  their 
front  elevations  towards  Michigan  Avenue  and  the  lake,  was 
supported  by  a  cluster  of  hexagonal  columns  resting  on  a  single 
base,  forming  four  sets  of  columns  on  each  front.  The  inter 
stices  between  these  columns  were  fitted  up  as  Gothic  windows, 
and  beautifully  draped  as  such  in  black  and  white,  adding  a 
solemn  effect  to  the  general  appearance.  At  the  centre  of 
each  arch  on  the  top  of  the  columns  of  both  fronts  were  large 
and  imposing  American  shields,  from  which  draped  our  na 
tional  ensign,  hanging  in  graceful  festoons.  From  these  flags 
the  mourning  drapery  entwined  about  the  different  portions  of 
the  arches,  up  to  the  pinnacle  in  the  centre.  The  lower  por 
tion  of  the  arches  was  also  heavily  draped  in  black  and  white, 
beautifully  arranged.  Fifty  flags  in  all  formed  the  drapery 
and  surmounted  the  arches.  On  each  pediment  of  the  main 
and  centre  arches  was  placed  a  bust  of  the  lamented  dead,  and 
upon  each  main  front,  resting  upon  the  pinnacle  above  the 
busts,  was  seen  a  magnificent  eagle.  Underneath  the  eagle, 
and  above  the  busts,  the  drapery  took  the  form  of  the  sun's 
rays,  as  if  they  still  hung  upon  the  corpse. 

The  procession  escorting  the  honored  remains,  was  pre 
ceded  by  a  band  of  music,  followed  by  Major-Generals  Hooker 
and  Alfred  Sully,  and  Brig.-Generals  Buford  and  Swett,  to 
gether  with  their  respective  staffs,  music,  the  8th  and  15th 
Regiments  of  the  veteran  Reserve  Corps,  and  the  6th  Regiment 
of  United  States  volunteers.  Then  came  the  funeral-car  with 


220  LINCOLN  MEMORIAL. 

the  following  named  gentlemen  as  pallbearers :  Hons.  Lyman 
Trumbull,  John  Wentworth,  F.  C.  Sherman,  E.  C.  Lamed,  F. 

A.  Hoffman,  J.  E.  Jones,  Thomas  Drummond,  Wm.  Bross,  J. 

B.  Eice,  S.  W.  Fuller,  T.  B.  Eyan,  J.  Y.  Scammon.     These 
gentlemen  were  equally  divided  on  each  side  of  the  funeral-car. 
The  guard  of  honor  was  mounted  as  follows:  Major  General 
Hunter,  Brevet  Major-General  Barnard,  Brig.-General  Eamsey, 
Brig.-General  Caldwell,  Brig.-General  Eaton,  Captain  Taylor, 
U.  S.  N.,  Eear  Admiral  Davis,  General  McCallum,  Brigadier- 
General  Howe,  Brig.-General  Townsend,  Brig.-General  Ekin, 
Major  Field,  IT.  S.  M.  C.,  Captain  Charles  Penrose,  Commis 
sary,  relatives  and  family  friends  in  carriages,  N".  W.  Edwards, 

C.  M.  Smith,  Eev.  Dr.  Gurley,  Judge  David  Davis  and  son, 
ten  clergymen,  the  Illinois  delegation,  the  Illinois  escort  from 
Washington,  consisting  of  Gov.  Oglesby,  Jesse  K.  Dubojs,  S. 
M.  Cullom,  D.  L.  Phillips,  Gen.  Haynie,  O.  M.  Hatch,  F.  E. 
Leonard  and  S.  H.  Melvin,  with  Col.  Brown,  of  Chicago,  as 
marshal ;  the  Congressional  delegation,  Sergeant-at-arms  Brown, 
of  the  U.  S.  Senate,  and  "N.  G.  Ordway,  Sergeant-at-arms  of 
the  U.  S.  House  of  Eepresentatives,  together  with  members  of 
the  press  who  accompanied  the  remains  from  Washington,  the 
citizens'  committee  of  one  hundred,  the  Mayor  and  Common 
Council,  judges  of  the  courts  and  members  of  the  bar,  the  rev 
erend  clergy,  officers  of  the  army  and  navy  now  in  the  service 
or  honorably  discharged,  in  full  uniform,  and  bands  of  music 
were  in  various  parts  of  the  imposing  line. 

The  second,  third,  fourth,  and  fifth  divisions  comprised 
among  others,  Tyler's  and  Ellsworth's  Zouaves,  children  of  the 
public  schools,  mounted  artillery  men,  two  batteries  of  Illinois 
light  artillery  and  several  regiments  of  State  infantry,  Masons 
and  Odd  Fellows,  and  all  other  associations  and  societies,  pro 
fessional,  benevolent,  and  trade.  Not  a  few  colored  citizens 
took  part  in  these  funeral  honors.  In  the  procession  was  a  full 
regiment  of  infantry  composed  of  men  formerly  in  the  rebel 
service,  and  who,  taking  the  oath  of  allegiance,  were  recruited 
at  the  several  prison  camps. 

The  remains  of  the  President  were  conveyed  to  the  rotunda 
of  the  Court  House,  where  they  were  laid  in  state.  Around  the 
crowning  pillars  of  the  rotunda  were  alternate  diagonal  wreaths 
of  black  and  white  cambric. 


FROM  WASHINGTON  TO  SPRINGFIELD.  221 

From  the  entire  ceiling  drooped  festooned  rays  of  black  and 
white  muslin.  Directly  over  each  of  the  four  chandeliers  on 
the  west  side  of  the  hall  were  the  words : 

"  We  mourn  liberty's  great  martyr." 
and  on  the  east  side, 

"  The  altar  of  freedom  has  borne  no  nobler  sacrifice." 

The  walls  were  draped  in  black  and  ornamented  with  wreaths 
of  white  flowers. 

Directly  beneath  the  dome  was  the  catafalque.  The  dais 
was  about  three  feet  in  height,  and  contained  an  inclined  plane 
as  a  centre  platform.  Four  upright  pillars  supported  a  canopy 
through  which  the  light  of  thirty-six  stars  radiated  to  the 
coffin  and  its  surroundings.  The  roof  of  the  canopy  was  of 
ogive  form,  covered  with  black  velvit,  festooned  with  white 
silk  and  silver  fringe,  and  studded  with  silver  stars. 

At  the  head  of  the  coffin  stood  a  velvet  pedestal  festooned 
with  silver  fringe.  Surmounting  the  pedestal  was  a  marble 
eagle,  around  which  were  clustered  six  flags.  On  each  side  of 
the  pedestal  rested  an  Etruscan  vase,  filled  with  natural  flowers. 
The  sides  of  the  dais  incline  upward,  and  were  covered  with 
black  velvet  and  festooned  with  silver  stars.  The  dais  was 
covered  with  flowers. 

The  cornice  of  the  canopy  was  surmounted  by  eight  black 
plumes.  Festoons  of  white  silk  were  displayed  between  the 
plumes,  and  below  the  cornice  were  ornaments  of  black  fes 
toons,  silver  fringe  and  tassels.  The  lamberkin  formed  the 
arch  between  the  columns  on  all  sides.  The  outside  was  of 
black  velvet,  and  the  inside  of  white  silk. 

The  entire  lamberkin  was  decorated  with  silver  fringe  and 
stars.  The  cornice  was  festooned  with  white  silk,  which  rested 
against  the  lamberkin,  making  a  deep  contrast.  The  columns 
were  draped  in  white  silk.  A  raised  pedestal  was  placed  at 
the  head  of  the  dais,  upon  which  stands  the  guard  of  honor. 

The  Court  House  opened  at  six  o'clock  and  remained  open  the 
next  day.  Here,  as  elsewhere,  thousands  crowded  to  view  the 
great  President.  Meanwhile  mournful  music  added  to  the 
solemnity  of  the  occasion. 

Every  train  which  entered  the  city  brought  hundreds  of 
people  from  the  neighboring  cities  and  towns.  Among  these 


LINCOLN  MEMORIAL. 

were  large  delegations  from  Waukegan,  Kenosha,  Milwaukee, 
and  other  cities  in  Wisconsin.  The  number  of  people  in  the 
city  at  the  time  the  procession  moved,  could  not  have  been  less 
than  two  hundred  and  fifty  thousand. 

At  night  the  coffin  was  closed  and  strewn  with  fresh  flowers 
placed  there  by  virgin  hands ;  the  coffin  with  chant  and  torch 
light  was  borne  to  the  depot. 

Taken  all  in  all,  Chicago  made  a  deeper  impression  upon 
those  who  had  been  with  the  funeral  from  the  first  than  any 
one  of  the  ten  cities  passed  through  before  had  done.  It  was 
to  be  expected  that  such  would  be  the  case,  yet,  seeing  how 
other  cities  had  honored  the  funeral,  there  seemed  to  be  no 
room  for  more,  and  the  Eastern  members  of  the  cortege  could 
not  repress  surprise  when  they  saw  how  Chicago  and  the 
North- West  came,  with  one  accord,  with  tears  and  with  offer 
ings,  to  help  to  bury  "  this  Duncan"  who  had  "  been  so  clear 
in  his  great  office." 

Hon.  Schuyler  Coif  ax  spoke  twice — once  at  Bryan  Hall,  and 
in  the  evening  at  the  second  Baptist  Church;  at  the  same 
time  Dr.  Patten  was  addressing  a  crowded  audience  at  Cros 
by's  Opera  House,  and  Dr.  Ryder  at  St.  Paul's  Church. 

Chicago  seemed  never  to  tire  hearing  the  eulogy  of  Abraham 
Lincoln. 

As  the  train  passed  Bridgeport.  Summit,  Lennox,  Joliet,  El- 
wood,  Wilmington,  D wight,  Lexington,  Bloomington,  minute- 
guns  fired,  and  the  darkness  of  night  was  broken  by  bonfires 
and  torchlight,  revealing  arches  and  funeral  decorations. 

At  Lincoln,  a  place  named  after  the  President,  and  in  the 
origin  of  which  he  had  a  direct  interest,  the  depot  was  draped 
and  a  funeral  arch  spanned  the  road.  As  the  train  passed  a 
choir  of  ladies  in  white  arid  black  raised  a  chant  of  sorrow. 


VII. 
THE  RITES  AT  SPRINGFIELD. 


CBOWN  his  blood-stained  pillow 

With  a  victor's  palm ; 
Life's  receding  billow 

Leaves  eternal  calm. 

At  the  feet  Almighty 

Lay  this  gift  sincere 
Of  a  purpose  weighty 

And  a  record  clear. 

"With  deliverance  freighted 

Was  this  passive  hand ; 
And  this  heart,  high-fated, 

Would  with  love  command. 

Let  him  rest  serenely 

In  a  Nation's  care, 
Where  her  waters  queenly 

Make  the  West  most  fair. 

In  the  greenest  meadow 

That  the  prairies  show 
Let  his  marble's  shadow 

Give  all  men  to  know: 

"Our  First  Hero,  living, 

Made  his  country  free  ; 
Heed  the  Second's  giving 

Death  for  Liberty !" 

Julia  Ward  How«. 


VII. 

THE   RITES  AT   SPRINGFIELD. 


AT  last,  on  the  3d  of  May,  the  tuneral  train,  after  travelling 
by  a  circuitous  route  about  seventeen  hundred  miles,  reached 
Springfield,  the  home  of  the  fallen  President,  where  he  had 
been  so  long  personally  known  and  admired. 

The  remains  were  received  at  the  Chicago,  Alton,  and  St. 
Louis  Station.  A  procession  formed  in  the  following  order  : — 
Brig.-General  Cook  and  staff;  military  escort ;  Major-General 
Hooker  and  staff;  the  guard  of  honor ;  relatives  and  friends 
in  carriages ;  the  Illinois  delegation  from  Washington ;  Sena 
tors  and  Representatives  of  the  Congress  of  the  United  States, 
including  their  Sergeant-at  arms  and  Speaker  Colfax ;  the  Illi 
nois  State  Legislature ;  the  Governors  of  different  States ;  dele 
gations  from  Kentucky  ;  the  Chicago  Committee  of  Eeception  ; 
the  Springfield  Committee  of  Eeception ;  the  judges  of  the 
different  courts ;  the  reverend  clergy ;  officers  of  the  army 
and  navy;  firemen  of  the  city;  citizens  generally;  colored 
citizens,  etc. 

The  hearse  which  carried  the  coffin  was  splendidly  adorned, 
and  drawn  by  six  black  horses.  The  procession  moved  through 
Jefferson,  Fifth,  Monroe,  and  Sixth  streets,  the  houses  on  which 
all  being  deeply  draped,  with  appropriate  mottoes,  and  in  many 
cases  the  portrait  of  their  great  townsman. 

On  reaching  the  State  House  the  coffin  was  borne  with  the 
usual  ceremonies  through  the  north  entrance  into  the  Hall  of 
Representatives,  a  semi-circular  colonade  of  eleven  Corinthian 
columns,  supporting  a  half  dome,  the  straight  side  being  toward 
the  west.  At  the  apex  of  the  dome  is  a  rising  sun.  On  the 

15 


220  LINCOLN  MEMORIAL. 

floor  a  dais  was  erected,  ascended  by  three  steps.  On  the  dais 
a  hexagon  canopy,  supported  on  columns  twelve  feet  high,  the 
shaft  covered  with  black  velvet ;  the  capitals  wrought  in  white 
velvet,  with  silver  bands,  and  filled  the  canopy,  tent-shaped, 
rising  seven  feet  in  the  centre,  covered  with  heavy  black  broad 
cloth  in  radiating  slack  folds,  surmounted  at  the  apex  and  at 
each  angle  with  black  plumes  having  white  centres.  A  draped 
eagle  was  perched  on  the  middle  of  each  crown  mould.  The 
cornice  was  of  Egyptian  pattern,  corresponding  with  the  capi 
tals  covered  with  black  velvet ;  the  bands  and  mouldings  were 
of  silver  ;  the  lining  of  the  canopy  was  white  crape  in  radiating 
folds  over  blue,  thickly  set  with  stars  of  silver,  and  terminating 
at  the  cornice  in  a  band  of  black  velvet  with  silver  fillets.  Be 
tween  the  columns  was  a  rich  valance  in  folds,  with  heavy  sil 
ver  fringe,  from  under  which  depended  velvet  curtains  extend 
ing  from  each  column  two-thirds  of  the  distance  from  the 
capitals  to  the  centre  of  the  cornice,  looped  with  silver  bands. 
Twelve  brilliant  jets  of  gas,  burning  in  ground  globes,  sprang 
from  the  columns,  and  lighted  the  interior. 

The  catafalque  was  covered  with  black  velvet,  trimmed  with 
silver  and  satin,  and  adorned  with  thirty-six  burnished  silver 
stars,  twelve  at  the  head  and  twelve  on  each  side,  and  was 
built  after  drawings  made  by  Colonel  Schwartz.  The  floor  of 
the  dais  was  covered  with  evergreens  and  white  flowers:  The 
steps  of  the  dais  were  spread  with  broadcloth  banded  with 
silver  lace. 

The  columns  of  the  room  were  hung  with  black  crape,  and 
the  capitals  festooned  and  entwined  with  the  same.  The 
cornice  was  appropriately  draped,  and,  in  large  antique  letters, 
on  a  black  ground,  were  the  words  of  President  Lincoln  at  In 
dependence  Hall,  Philadelphia,  Feb.  22, 1861  :  "  Sooner  than 
surrender  these  principles,  I  would  be  assassinated  on  the  spot." 
In  front  of  the  gallery  were  black  panels  nine  feet  by  two  and 
a  half,  having  silver  bands  and  centres  of  crossed  olive-branches ; 
above  the  gallery  looped  curtains  of  black  crape,  extending 
around  the  semi-circle  ;  below  the  gallery  white  crape  curtains 
overhung  with  black  crape  festoons.  Each  column  was  orna 
mented  with  a  beautiful  wreath  of  evergreens  and  white 
flowers.  On  the  top  of  the  gallery,  extending  the  entire  length 
was  a  festoon  of  evergreens.  The  Corinthian  cornice  was  fes- 


THE  RITES  AT  SPRINGFIELD.  227 

tooned  on  the  west  at  each  side,  twenty-four  feet  forward  the 
centre,  supported  by  pilasters  of  the  same  order,  the  space  be 
tween  being  surmounted  by  an  arch.  At  the  extreme  height, 
in  the  upper  portion,  was  placed  a  blue  semi- circle  field,  sixteen 
feet  across,  studded  with  thirty-six  stars,  six  inches  in  diameter, 
and  from  which  radiated  the  thirteen  stripes  on  the  American 
flag  in  delicate  crape,  two  feet  wide  at  the  circumference  of 
the  blue  field,  increasing  to  the  extreme  lower  angle,  breaking 
on  the  dais  below  and  the  pilasters  on  either  side,  the  whole 
crowned  with  blue  and  black  crape,  and  so  disposed  as  to  cor 
respond  with  the  blue  field,  the  stars  and  radiated  panels  of  the 
ceiling.  The  central  red  stripe  fell  opposite  the  opening  in  the 
curtains  at  the  head  of  the  catafalque.  On  the  cornice,  each 
side  of  the  flag  work,  were  placed  two  mottoes,  corresponding 
with  that  on  the  semicircular  frieze,  forming  together  these 
words:  "Washington,  the  Father,  and  Lincoln,  the  Saviour." 
A  life-sized  portrait  of  Washington,  the  frame  draped  in  blue 
crape,  stood  at  the  head  of  the  dais. 

Here,  as  elsewhere,  the  citizens  of  the  place,  with  thousands 
who  came  pouring  in  by  every  mode  of  conveyance,  sought  to 
gaze  on  the  face  of  the  corpse.  All  night  long  the  streets  of  the 
handsome  and  generally  quiet  city,  resounded  with  the  tramp 
of  feet.  It  was  estimated  that  more  than  seventy-five  thousand 
passed  into  the  hall. 

During  the  morning  minute-guns  were  fired  by  Battery  K, 
Missouri  light  artillery.  About  ten  o'clock  the  coffin  was 
closed  forever.  Meanwhile  a  choir  of  two  hundred  and  fifty 
voices,  and  Lebrun's  band  from  St.  Louis,  sang  Paesello's, 
Ci  Peace,  Troubled  Soul,"  and  as  the  coffin  was  borne  out, 
PleyePs  Hymn,  "  Children  of  the  Heavenly  King." 

After  the  remains  had  been  placed  in  the  hearse,  the  pro 
cession  moved  to  Oak  Ridge  Cemetery,  under  the  immediate 
command  of  Major-General  Joseph  Hooker,  Marshal-in- Chief. 
It  consisted  of  eight  divisions,  three  of  which  preceded  the 
hearse,  with  its  group  of  eminent  men,  and  included  the  24th 
Michigan,  146th  Illinois,  46th  Wisconsin,  and  other  veterans 
of  the  war.  The  municipal  authorities,  sanitary  commission, 
the  professions,  Masons,  Odd  Fellows,  firemen  and  citizens, 
closed  the  line. 

On  the  arrival  of  the  procession  at  the  Cemetery,  the  re- 


228  LINCOLN  MEMORIAL. 

mains  were  placed  in  the  tomb,  after  which  the  choir  sang 
the  "  Dead  march  in  Saul" — "  Unveil  thy  bosom." 

Rev.  Albert  Hale  then  delivered  an  eloquent  and  appro 
priate  prayer. 

At  the  conclusion  of  the  prayer,  the  choir  sang  a  dirge,  com 
posed  for  the  occasion ;  music  by  George  F.  Root,  words  by 
L.  M.  Dawes.  It  was  sung  with  much  feeling  and  effect. 

FAREWELL  FATHER.  FRIEND  AND  GUARDIAN. 

All  our  land  is  draped  in  mourning, 

Hearts  are  bowed  and  strong  men  weep  • 
For  our  loved,  our  noble  leader, 

Sleeps  his  last  his  dreamless  sleep — 
Gone  forever,  gone  forever, 

Fallen  by  a  traitor's  hand  ; 
Though  preserved  his  dearest  treasure, 

Our  redeemed  beloved  land. 
Rest  in  peace. 

Through  our  night  of  bloody  struggle 

Ever  dauntless,  firm  and  true, 
Bravely,  gently  forth  he  led  us, 

Till  the  morn  burst  on  our  view — 
Till  he  saw  the  day  of  triumph, 

Saw  the  field  our  heroes  won  ; 
Then  his  honored  life  was  ended, 

Then  his  glorious  work  was  done. 
Rest  in  peace. 

When  from  mountain,  hill  and  valley, 

To  their  homes  our  brave  boys  come, 
When  with  welcome  notes  we  greet  them ; 

Song  and  cheer,  and  pealing  drum  ; 
When  we  miss  our  loved  ones  fallen, 

When  to  weep  we  turn  aside  ; 
Then  for  him  our  tears  shall  mingle, 

He  has  suffered — he  has  died. 
Rest  in  peace. 

Honor'd  leader,  long  and  fondly 

Shall  thy  mem'ry  cherished  be ; 
Hearts  shall  bless  thee  for  their  freedom, 

Hearts  unborn  shall  sigh  for  thee ; 
He  who  gave  thee  might  and  wisdom, 

Gave  thy  spirit  sweet  release  ; 
Farewell,  father,  friend  and  guardian, 

Rest  forever,  rest  in  peace. 
Rest  in  peace. 


FHOM  WASHINGTON  TO  SPRINGFIELD.  229 

A  portion  of  Scripture  was  then  read  by  Rev.  N.  "W.  Miner, 
after  which  the  choir  sang  "  To  Thee,  O  Lord,"  from  the  Ora 
torio  of  St.  Paul. 

The  President's  last  Inangural  was  read  by  Rev.  A.  C.  Hub- 
bard. 

After  the  reading  of  the  Inaugural,  the  choir  sang  the  dirge, 
"  As  when  thy  Cross  was  Bleeding,"  by  Otto. 

At  the  conclusion  of  the  singing,  Bishop  Simpson  delivered 
the  following 

FUNERAL  ORATION. 

Fellow-citizens  of  Illinois,  and  of  many  parts  of  our  entire  Union — 
Near  the  capital  of  this  large  and  growing  State,  in  the  midst  of 
this  beautiful  grove,  and  at  the  mouth  of  this  vault  which  has  just 
received  the  remains  of  our  fallen  chieftain,  we  gather  to  pay  a 
tribute  of  respect,  and  to  drop  the  tear  of  sorrow  around  the  ashes 
of  the  mighty  dead. 

A  little  more  than  four  years  ago,  from  his  plain  and  quiet  home 
in  yonder  city,  he  started,  receiving  the  parting  words  of  the  con 
course  of  friends  who  gathered  around  him  ;  and  in  the  midst  of  the 
dropping  of  the  gentle  shower,  he  told  of  the  pangs  of  parting  from 
the  place  where  his  children  had  been  born  and  his  home  had  been 
made  pleasant  by  early  recollections ;  and  as  he  left  he  made  an 
earnest  request,  in  the  hearing  of  some  who  are  present  at  this 
hour,  that  as  he  was  about  to  enter  upon  responsibilities  which  he 
believed  to  be  greater  than  any  which  had  fallen  upon  any  man 
since  the  days  of  Washington,  that  the  people  would  offer  up  prayers 
that  God  would  aid  and  sustain  him  in  the  work  which  they  had 
given  him  to  do. 

His  company  left  your  quiet  city,  but  as  it  went  snares  were  in 
waiting  for  the  Chief  Magistrate.  Scarcely  did  he  escape  the  dan 
gers  of  the  way  or  the  hands  of  the  assassin,  as  he  neared  Wash 
ington,  and  I  believe  he  escaped  only  through  the  vigilance  of  of 
ficers  and  the  prayers  of  his  people.  So  that  the  blow  was  sus 
pended  for  more  than  four  years,  which  was  at  last  permitted  through 
the  providence  of  God  to  fall.  How  different  the  occasion  which 
witnessed  his  departure  from  that  which  witnessed  his  return! 
Doubtless  he  expected  to  visit  you  all  again,  doubtless  you  expected 
to  take  him  by  the  hand,  and  to  feel  the  warm  grasp  which  you  had 
felt  in  other  days,  and  to  see  the  tall  form  walking  among  you, 
which  you  had  delighted  to  honor  in  years  past.  But  he  was  never 
permitted  to  return  until  he  came  with  lips  mute  and  silent,  the 


230  LINCOLN  MEMORIAL. 

frame  encoffined,  and  a  weeping  nation  following  as  his  mourners. 
Such  a  scene  as  his  return  to  you  was  never  witnessed  among  the 
events  of  history.  There  have  been  great  processions  of  mourners. 
There  was  one  for  the  patriarch  Jacob,  which  came  up  from 
Egypt,  and  the  Egyptians  wondered  at  the  evidences  of  rever 
ence  and  filial  affection  which  came  up  from  the  hearts  of  the  Is 
raelites. 

There  was  mourning  when  Moses  fell  upon  the  heights  of  Pisgah, 
and  was  hid  from  human  view.  There  has  been  mourning  in  the 
kingdoms  of  the  earth,  when  kings  and  princes  have  fallen;  but 
never  was  there  in  the  history  of  man  such  mourning  as  that  which 
has  accompanied  this  funeral  procession,  and  has  gathered  around 
the  mortal  remains  of  him  who  was  our  loved  one,  and  who  now 
sleepeth  among  us. 

If  we  glance  at  the  procession  which  followed  him,  we  see  how 
the  nation  stood  aghast,  tears  filled  the  eyes  of  many  sunburnt 
faces — strong  men,  as  they  clasped  the  hands  of  their  friends,  were 
unable  to  find  vent  for  their  grief  in  words.  Women  and  little 
children  caught  up  the  tidings  as  they  ran  through  the  land,  and 
were  melted  into  tears.  The  nation  stood  still.  Men  left  their 
plows  in  the  fields,  and  asked  what  the  end  should  be.  The  hum 
of  manufactories  ceased,  and  the  sound  of  the  hammer  was  not 
heard ;  busy  merchants  closed  their  doors,  and  in  the  exchange  gold 
passed  no  more  from  hand  to  hand.  Though  three  weeks  have 
passed,  the  nation  has  scarcely  breathed  easily  yet.  A  mournful 
silence  is  abroad  upon  the  land.  Nor  is  this  mourning  confined  to 
any  one  class  or  to  any  district  of  country.  Men  of  all  political 
parties  and  of  all  religious  creeds  have  united  in  paying  this 
mournful  tribute.  The  Archbishop  of  the  Roman  Catholic  Church 
in  New  York  and  a  Protestant  minister  walked  side  by  side  in  the 
sad  procession,  and  a  Jewish  Rabbi  performed  a  part  of  the  solemn 
services.  Here  are  gathered  around  his  tomb  the  representatives 
of  the  army  and  navy,  senators,  judges,  governors,  and  officers  of 
all  the  branches  of  the  Government. 

Here,  too,  are  members  of  civic  professions,  with  men  and  wo 
men,  from  the  humblest  as  well  as  the  highest  occupations.  Here 
and  there,  too,  are  tears  as  sincere  and  warm  as  any  that  drop, 
which  come  from  the  eyes  of  those  whose  kindred  and  whose  race 
have  been  freed  from  their  chains  by  him  whom  they  mourn  as  their 
deliverer. 

Far  more  eyes  have  gazed  upon  the  face  of  the  departed  than 
ever  looked  upon  the  face  of  any  other  departed  man.  More  eyes 
have  looked  upon  the  procession  for  sixteen  hundred  miles  or  more, 


THE  RITES  AT  SPRINGFIELD.  231 

by  night  and  by  day,  by  sunlight,  dawn,  twilight,  and  by  torchlight, 
than  ever  before  watched  the  progress  of  a  procession. 

We  ask,  why  this  wonderful  mourning — this  great  procession  ?  I 
answer,  first:  A  part  of  the  interest  has  arisen  from  the  times  in 
which  we  live  and  in  which  he  that  had  fallen  was  a  principal  actor. 
It  is  a  principle  of  our  nature  that  feelings  once  excited  pass  rea 
dily  from  the  object  by  which  they  are  excited  to  some  other  object 
which  may  for  the  time  being  take  possession  of  the  mind. 

Another  principle  is,  that  the  deepest  affections  of  our  hearts 
gather  around  some  human  form,  in  which  are  incarnated  the  living 
thoughts  and  ideas  of  the  passing  age.  If  we  look,  then,  at  the 
times  we  see  an  age  of  excitement.  For  four  years  the  popular 
heart  has  been  stirred  to  its  utmost  depths.  War  had  come  upon 
us,  dividing  families,  separating  nearest  and  dearest  friends.  A 
war,  the  extent  and  magnitude  of  which  no  one  could  estimate  ;  a 
war  in  which  the  blood  of  brethren  was  shed  by  a  brother's  hand. 
A  call  was  made  by  this  voice,  now  hushed,  and  all  over  this  land, 
from  hill  and  mountain,  from  plain  and  prairie,  there  sprang  up 
hundreds  of  thousands  of  bold  hearts,  ready  to  go  forth  and  save 
our  National  Union.  This  feeling  of  excitement  was  transferred 
next  into  a  feeling  of  deep  grief,  because  of  the  danger  in  which 
our  country  was  placed.  Many  said,  is  it  possible  to  save  the  na 
tion  ?  Some  in  our  country,  and  nearly  all  the  leading  men  in  other 
countries,  declared  it  to  be  impossible  to  maintain  the  Union,  and 
many  an  honest  and  patriotic  heart  was  deeply  pained  with  appre 
hensions  of  common  ruin,  and  many  in  grief  and  almost  in  despair 
anxiously  inquired  what  shall  the  end  of  these  things  be  ?  In  ad 
dition  to  this,  wives  had  given  their  husbands,  mothers  their  sons 
— the  pride  and  joy  of  their  hearts.  They  saw  them  put  on  the 
uniform.  They  saw  them  take  the  martial  step,  and  they  tried  to 
hide  their  deep  feeling  of  sadness.  Many  of  these  dear  ones  sleep 
upon  the  battle-field  never  to  return  again,  and  there  was  mourning 
in  every  mansion  and  every  cabin  of  our  land.  Then  came  a  feeling 
of  deeper  sadness  as  the  story  came  of  prisoners  tortured  to  death, 
or  starved  through  the  mandates  of  those  who  are  called  the  repre 
sentatives  of  the  chivalry,  or  who  claim  to  be  the  honorable  ones 
of  the  earth,  and  as  we  read  the  stories  of  frames  attenuated  and 
reduced  to  mere  skeletons,  our  grief  turned  partly  into  horror,  and 
partly  into  a  cry  for  vengeance. 

Then  this  feeling  was  changed  to  one  of  joy.  There  came  signs 
of  the  end  of  this  rebellion.  We  followed  the  career  of  our  glorious 
Generals  ;  we  saw  our  armies  under  the  command  of  the  brave  offi 
cer  who  is  guiding  this  procession,  climb  up  the  heights  of  Look- 


•232  LINCOLN  MEMORIAL. 

out  Mountain,  and  drive  the  rebels  from  their  strongholds.  Another 
brave  general  swept  through  Georgia,  South  and  North  Carolina, 
and  drove  the  combined  armies  of  the  rebels  before  him,  while  the 
honored  Lieutenant-General  held  Lee  and  his  hosts  in  a  death  grasp. 
Then  the  tidings  came  that  Richmond  was  evacuated  and  that  Lee 
had  surrendered.  The  bells  rang  merrily  all  over  the  land  ;  boom 
ing  of  cannon  was  heard  ;  illuminations  and  torch-light  processions 
manifested  the  general  joy,  and  families  were  looking  for  the  speedy 
return  of  their  loved  ones  from  the  field  of  battle.  Just  in  the  midst 
of  this  wildest  joy,  in  one  hour,  nay,  in  one  moment,  the  tidings 
thrilled  through  our  land  that  Abraham  Lincoln,  the  best  of  Presi 
dents,  had  perished  by  the  hand  of  an  assassin,  and  then  all  that 
feeling  which  had  been  gathering  for  four  year  in  forms  of  grief, 
horror,  and  joy,  turned  in  an  instant  into  one  wail  of  woe — a  sadness 
inexpressible,  an  anguish  unutterable. 

But  it  is  not  the  times  merely  which  cause  this  mourning.  The 
mode  of  his  death  must  be  taken  into  account.  Had  he  died  on  a 
bed  of  illness,  with  kind  friends  around  him  ;  had  the  sweat  of 
death  been  wiped  from  his  brow  by  gentle  hands  while  he  was  yet 
conscious  ;  could  he  have  lived  to  speak  words  of  affection  to  his 
stricken  widow,  or  words  of -counsel  to  us,  like  those  we  heard  in 
his  parting  address — that  inaugural  which  shall  now  be  immortal, 
how  it  wouid  have  softened  or  assuaged  something  of  the  grief. 
There  might  at  least  have  been  preparation  for  the  event.  But  no 
moment  of  warning  was  given  to  him  or  to  us.  He  was  stricken 
down,  too,  when  his  hopes  for  the  end  of  the  rebellion  were  bright, 
and  the  prospects  of  a  joyous  life  were  before  him.  There  was  a 
Cabinet  meeting  that  day,  said  to  have  been  the  most  cheerful  and 
happy  of  any  held  since  the  beginning  of  the  rebellion. 

After  this  meeting  he  talked  with  his  wife — spoke  of  the  four 
years  of  tempest — of  the  storm  being  over,  and  of  the  four  years  of 
pleasure  and  joy  now  awaiting  him,  as  the  weight  of  care  and  an 
guish  would  be  taken  from  his  mind,  and  he  could  have  happy  days 
with  his  family  again.  In  the  midst  of  these  anticipations  he  left 
his  home  never  to  return  alive.  The  evening  was  Good  Friday — 
the  saddest  day  in  the  whole  calendar  for  the  Christian  church — 
henceforth  in  this  country  to  be  made  sadder,  if  possible,  by  the 
memory  of  our  nation's  loss.  And  so  filled  with  grief  was  every 
Christian  heart  that  even  all  the  joyous  hopes  of  Easter  Sunday 
failed  to  remove  the  crushing  sorrow  under  which  the  true  worship 
ers  bowed  in  the  house  of  God. 

But  the  great  cause  of  this  mourning  is  to  be  found  in  the  man 
himself.  Mr.  Lincoln  was  no  ordinary  man,  arid  I  believe  the  con- 


THE  RITES  AT  SPRINGFIELD.  233 

viction  has  been  growing  on  the  nation's  mind,  as  it  certainly  has 
been  on  my  own,  especially  in  the  last  years  of  his  administration. 
By  the  hand  of  God  he  was  especially  singled  out  to  guide  our  gov 
ernment  in  these  troublous  times,  and  it  seems  to  me  that  the  hand 
of  God  may  be  traced  in  many  events  connected  with  his  history. 

First,  then,  I  recognize  this  in  his  physical  education,  which  he 
received,  and  which  prepared  him  for  enduring  herculean  labors.  In 
the  toils  of  his  boyhood  and  the  labors  of  his  manhood,  God  was 
giving  him  an  iron  frame.  Next  to  this  was  his  identification  with 
the  heart  of  the  great  people,  understanding  their  feelings  because 
he  was  one  of  them,  and  connected  with  them  in  their  movements  and 
life.  His  education  was  simple.  A  few  months  spent  in  the  school- 
house  gave  him  the  elements  of  education.  He  read  few  books  but 
mastered  all.  He  read  Bunyan's  Pilgrim's  Progress,  ^Esop's  Fables, 
and  the  life  of  Washington,  which  were  his  favorites.  In  these  we 
recognize  the  works  which  gave  the  bias  to  his  character,  and  which 
partly  moulded  his  style. 

His  early  life  with  its  varied  struggles,  joined  him  indissolubly 
to  the  working  masses,  and  no  elevation  in  society  diminished  his  res- 
peet  for  the  sons  of  toil.  He  knew  what  it  was  to  fell  the  tall  trees 
of  the  forest,  and  to  stem  the  current  of  the  broad  Mississippi.  His 
home  was  in  the  glowing  West — the  heart  of  the  republic — and  in 
vigorated  by  the  winds  that  swept  over  its  prairies,  he  learned  les 
sons  of  self-reliance  that  sustained  him  in  scenes  of  adversity. 

His  genius  was  soon  recognized,  as  true  genius  always  will  be, 
and  he  was  placed  in  the  Legislature  of  his  State.  Already  ac 
quainted  with  the  principles  of  law,  he  devoted  his  thoughts  to  mat 
ters  of  public  interest,  and  began  to  be  looked  upon  as  the  "  coming 
statesmen."  As  early  as  1839  he  presented  resolutions  to  the  Le 
gislature,  asking  for  emancipation  in  the  District  of  Columbia,  while, 
with  but  rare  exceptions,  the  whole  popular  mind  of  his  State  was 
opposed  to  the  measure.  From  that  hour  he  was  a  steady  and  uni 
form  friend  of  humanity,  and  was  preparing  for  the  conflict  of  later 
years. 

If  you  ask  me  on  what  mental  characteristic  his  greatness  rested, 
I  answer,  on  a  quick  and  ready  perception  of  facts — on  a  memory 
unusually  tenacious  and  retentive,  and  on  a  logical  turn  of  mind 
which  followed  sternly  and  unwaveringly  every  link  in  the  chain  of 
thought  on  any  subject  which  he  was  called  upon  to  investigate. 
I  think  there  have  been  minds  more  broad  in  their  character,  more 
comprehensive  in  their  sweep,  but  I  doubt  whether  there  has  been 
a  mind  which  could  follow  step  by  step  with  logical  power  the 
points  which  he  desired  to  illustrate.  He  gained  this  power  by  the 


234  LINCOLN  MEMORIAL. 

close  study  of  geometry,  and  by  a  determination  to  perceive  the 
truth  in  all  its  relations  and  simplicity,  and  when  perceived  to  utter 
it.  It  is  said  of  him,  that  in  childhood,  when  he  had  any  difficulty 
in  listening  to  a  conversation  to  ascertain  what  people  meant,  when  he 
retired  to  rest,  he  could  not  sleep  until  he  tried  to  understand  the 
precise  point  intended,  and  when  understood  to  convey  it  in  a  clearer 
manner  to  others.  Who,  that  has  read  his  message  fails  to  perceive 
the  directness  and  the  simplicity  of  his  style,  and  this  very  trait  which 
was  scoffed  at  and  derided  by  opponents,  is  now  recognized  as  one  of 
the  strong  points  of  that  mighty  mind,  which  has  so  powerfully  in 
fluenced  the  destiny  of  this  nation,  and  which  shall  for  ages  to 
come  influence  the  destiny  of  humanity! 

It  was  not  however  chiefly  by  his  mental  faculties  that  he  gained 
such  control  over  mankind.  His  moral  power  gave  him  pre-emin 
ence.  The  convictions  of  men  that  Abraham  Lincoln  was  an  honest 
man,  led  them  to  yield  to  his  guidance.  As  has  been  said  of  Cobden, 
whom  he  greatly  resembled,  he  made  all  men  feel  a  kind  of  sense  of 
himself — a  recognized  individuality,  a  self-relying  power.  They 
saw  in  him  a  man  whom  they  believed  would  do  what  was  right 
regardless  of  all  consequences.  It  was  this  moral  feeling  which 
gave  him  the  greatest  hold  upon  the  people  and  made  his  utterances 
almost  oracular. 

When  the  nation  was  angered  by  the  perfidy  of  foreign  nations 
in  allowing  privateers  to  be  fitted  out,  he  uttered  the  significant 
expression,  "  one  war  at  a  time,"  and  it  stilled  the  national  heart. 
When  his  own  friends  were  divided  as  to  what  steps  should  be 
taken  as  to  slavery,  that  simple  utterance,  "  I  will  save  the  Union 
if  I  can  with  slavery,  but  if  not,  slavery  must  perish,  for  the  Union 
must  be  saved,"  that  became  the  rallying  word.  Men  felt  the 
struggle  was  for  the  Union,  and  all  other  questions  must  be  sub 
sidiary. 

But  after  all,  by  the  acts  of  a  man  shall  his  fame  be  perpetuated. 
Where  are  his  acts  ?  Much  praise  is  due  to  the  men  who  aided 
him.  He  called  able  councillors  around  him,  and  able  generals  into 
the  field,  men  who  have  borne  the  sword  as  bravely  as  ever  any 
human  arm  has  done  it.  He  had  the  aid  of  prayerful  and  thought 
ful  men  everywhere,  but  under  his  own  guiding  hands  the  move 
ments  of  our  land  have  been  conducted. 

Turn  towards  the  different  departments.  We  had  an  unorgan 
ized  militia,  a  mere  skeleton  army,  yet  under  his  care  that  army  has 
been  enlarged  into  a  force,  which  for  skill,  intelligence,  efficiency, 
and  bravery,  surpasses  any  which  the  world  had  ever  seen.  Before 
its  veterans  the  fame  of  even  the  renowned  veterans  of  Napoleon 


THE  EITES  AT  SPRINGFIELD.  235 

shall  pale ;  and  the  mothers  and  sisters  on  these  hillsides,  and  all 
over  the  land,  shall  take  to  their  arms  again,  braver  men  than  ever 
fought  in  European  wars. 

The  reason  is  obvious.  Money  or  a  desire  for  fame  collected 
those  armies — or  they  were  rallied  to  sustain  favorite  thrones  or 
dynasties.  But  the  armies  called  into  being  fought  for  liberty — for 
the  Union,  and  for  the  right  of  self-government,  and  many  of  them 
feel  that  the  battles  they  won  were  for  humanity  everywhere — and 
for  all  time — for  I  believe  that  God  has  not  suffered  this  terrible 
rebellion  to  come  upon  our  land  merely  for  a  chastisement  to  us  or 
a  lesson  to  our  age. 

There  are  moments  which  involve  in  themselves  eternities.  There 
are  instants  which  seem  to  contain  germs  which  shall  develope  and 
bloom  forever.  Such  a  moment  came  in  the  tide  of  time  to  our  land 
when  a  question  must  be  settled,  affecting  all  the  powers  of  the 
earth.  The  contest  was  for  human  freedom.  Not  for  this  republic 
merely.  Nor  for  the  Union  simply,  but  to  decide  whether  the  peo 
ple,  as  a  people,  in  their  entire  majesty,  were  destined  to  be  the 
government,  or  whether  they  were  to  be  subject  to  tyrants  or  aris 
tocrats,  or  to  class-rule  of  any  kind. 

.  This  is  the  great  question  for  which  we  have  been  fighting,  and 
its  decision  is  at  hand,  and  the  result  of  this  contest  will  affect  the 
ages  to  come.  If  successful,  republics  will  spread  in  spite  of  rnon- 
archs  all  over  this  earth.  I  turn  from  the  army  to  the  navy.  What 
was  it  before  the  war  commenced  ?  Now  we  have  our  ships  of  war 
at  home  and  abroad,  to  guard  privateers  in  foreign  sympathizing 
forts,  as  to  care  for  every  port  of  our  own  coast.  They  have  taken 
ports  that  military  men  said  could  not  be  taken,  and  a  brave  ad 
miral,  for  the  first  time  in  the  world's  history,  lashed  himself  to  the 
mast,  there  to  remain  as  long  as  he  had  a  particle  of  skill  or  strength 
to  watch  over  his  ship  while  it  engaged  in  the  perilous  contest  of 
taking  the  strong  forts  of  the  enemy. 

Then  again  I  turn  to  the  Treasury  Department.  Where  should 
the  money  come  from?  Wise  men  predicted  ruin,  but  our  national 
credit  has  been  maintained,  and  our  currency  is  safer  to-day  than 
it  ever  was  before.  Not  only  so,  but  through  our  national  bonds, 
if  properly  used,  we  shall  have  a  permanent  basis  for  currency,  and 
an  investment  so  desirable  for  capitalists  of  other  nations,  that, 
under  the  law  of  trade,  I  believe  the  centre  of  exchange  will  be 
transferred  from  England  to  the  United  States. 

But  the  great  act  of  the  mighty  chieftain,  on  which  his  fame 
shall  rest  long  after  his  frame  shall  moulder  away,  is  that  of  giving 
freedom  to  a  race.  We  have  all  been  taught  to  revere  the  sacred 


236  LINCOLN  MEMORIAL, 

characters.  We  have  thought  of  Moses,  of  his  power,  and  the  pro 
minence  he  gave  to  the  moral  law;  how  it  lasts,  and  how  his  name 
towers  high  among  the  names  in  heaven,  and  how  he  delivered  those 
millions  of  his  kindred  out  of  bondage.  And  yet  we  may  assert 
that  Abraham  Lincoln,  by  his  proclamation,  liberated  more  enslaved 
people  than  ever  Moses  set  free,  and  those  not  of  his  kindred.  God 
has  seldom  given  such  a  power  or  such  an  opportunity  to  man. 
When  other  events  shall  have  been  forgotten;  when  this  world  shall 
have  become  a  network  of  Republics ;  when  every  throne  shall  be 
swept  from  the  face  of  the  earth;  when  literature  shall  enlighten  all 
minds;  when  the  claims  of  humanity  shall  be  recognized  everywhere, 
this  act  shall  be  conspicuous  on  the  pages  of  history.  And  we  are 
thankful  that  God  gave  to  Abraham  Lincoln  the  decision  and  wis 
dom  and  grace  to  issue  that  proclamation,  which  stands  high  above 
all  other  papers  which  have  been  penned  by  uninspired  men. 

Abraham  Lincoln  was  a  good  man.  He  was  known  as  an  honest, 
temperate,  forgiving  man;  a  just  man,  a  man  of  noble  heart  in  every 
way.  As  to  his  religious  experience,  I  cannot  speak  definitely,  be 
cause  I  was  not  privileged  to  know  much  of  his  private  sentiments. 
My  acquaintance  with  him  did  not  give  me  the  opportunity  to  hear 
him  speak  on  those  topics.  This  I  know,  however.  He  read  the 
Bible  frequently — loved  it  for  its  great  truths  and  profound  teach 
ings,  and  he  tried  to  be  guided  by  its  precepts.  He  believed  in 
Christ  the  saviour  of  sinners,  and  I  think  he  was  sincerely  trying 
to  bring  his  life  into  harmony  with  the  great  principles  of  revealed 
religion.  Certainly,  if  ever  there  was  a  man  who  illustrated  some 
of  the  principles  of  pure  religion,  that  man  was  our  departed  Presi 
dent.  Look  over  all  his  speeches,  listen  to  his  utterances,  he  never 
spoke  unkindly  of  any  man.  Even  the  rebels  received  no  words  of 
anger  from  him,  and  the  last  days  of  his  life  illustrated  in  a  remark 
able  manner  his  forgiving  disposition.  A  dispatch  was  received 
that  afternoon  that  Thompson  and  Tucker  were  trying  to  escape 
through  Maine,  and  it  was  proposed  to  arrest  them.  Mr.  Lincoln, 
however,  preferred  to  let  them  quietly  escape.  He  was  seeking  to 
save  the  very  men  who  had  been  plotting  his  destruction,  and  this 
morning  we  read  a  proclamation  offering  $25,000  for  the  arrest  of 
these  men,  as  aiders  and  abettors  of  his  assassination.  So  that  in, 
his  expiring  acts  he  was  saying — Father,  forgive  them;  they  know 
not  what  they  do.  As  a  ruler,  I  doubt  if  any  President  has  ever 
showed  such  trust  in  God,  or  in  public  documents  so  frequently  re 
ferred  to  Divine  aid.  Often  did  he  remark  to  friends  and  delegations 
that  his  hope  for  our  success  rested  in  his  conviction  that  God  would 
bless  our  efforts,  because  we  were  trying  to  do  right.  To  the  ad- 


THE  RITES  AT  SPRINGFIELD.  237 

dress  of  a  large  religious  body,  he  replied,  "  Thanks  be  unto  God, 
who  in  our  national  trials  giveth  us  the  churches."  To  a  minister 
who  said  "  he  hoped  the  Lord  was  on  our  side,"  he  replied  "  that  it 
gave  him  no  concern  whether  the  Lord  was  on  our  side  or  not,"  for 
he  added,  "  I  know  the  Lord  is  always  on  the  side  of  right;"  and 
with  deep  feeling  added,  "  But  God  is  my  witness  that  it  is  my  con 
stant  anxiety  and  prayer  that  both  myself  and  this  nation  should 
be  on  the  Lord's  side." 

In  his  domestic  life  he  was  exceedingly  kind  and  affectionate. 
He  was  a  devoted  husband  and  father.  During  his  Presidential 
term  he  lost  his  second  son,  Willie.  To  an  officer  of  the  army  he 
said  not  long  since,  "  Do  you  ever  find  yourself  talking  with  the 
dead,"  and  added:  "Since  Willie's  death,  I  catch  myself  every  day 
involuntarily  talking  with  him,  as  if  he  were  with  me."  For  his 
widow,  who  is  unable  to  be  here,  I  need  only  invoke  the  blessing  of 
Almighty  God  that  she  be  comforted  and  sustained.  For  his  son, 
who  has  witnessed  the  exercises  of  this  hour,  all  that  I  can  desire 
is  that  the  mantle  of  his  father  may  fall  upon  him. 

Let  us  pause  a  moment  on  the  lesson  of  the  hour  before  we  part. 
This  man,  though  he  fell  by  the  hand  of  the  assassin,  still  fell  under 
the  permissive  hand  of  God.  He  had  some  wise  purpose  in  allow 
ing  him  to  fall. 

What  more  could  he  have  desired  of  life  for  himself?  Were 
not  his  honors  full  ?  There  was  no  office  to  which  he  could  aspire. 
The  popular  heart  clung  around  him  as  around  no  other  man.  The 
nations  of  the  world  had  learned  to  honor  our  Chief  Magistrate. 
If  rumors  of  a  desired  alliance  with  England  be  true,  Napoleon 
trembled  when  he  heard  of  the  fall  of  Richmond,  and  asked  what 
nation  would  join  him  to  protect  him  against  our  government. 
This  had  the  guidance  of  such  a  man.  His  fame  was  full,  his 
work  was  done,  and  he  sealed  his  glory  by  being  the  nation's  just 
martyr  for  liberty. 

He  had  a  strange  presentiment,  in  early  political  life,  that  some 
day  he  would  be  President.  You  see  it  indicated  in  1859,  when  of 
the  slave  power  he  said:  "  Broken  by  it,  I,  too,  may  be  ;  bow  to  it, 
I  never  will.  The  probability  that  we  may  fail  in  the  struggle  ought 
not  to  deter  us  from  the  support  of  a  cause  which  I  deem  to  be  just; 
it  shall  not  deter  me.  If  ever  I  feel  the  soul  within  me  elevate  and 
expand  to  those  dimensions  not  wholly  unworthy  of  its  Almighty 
Architect,  it  is  when  I  contemplate  the  cause  of  my  country,  de 
serted  by  all  the  world  besides,  and  I  standing  up  boldly  and  alone, 
and  hurling  defiance  at  her  victorious  oppressors.  Here,  without 
contemplating  consequences,  before  High  JEeaven,  and  in  the  face 


'238  LINCOLN  MEMORIAL. 

of  the  world,  I  swear  eternal  fidelity  to  the  just  cause,  as  I  deem  it, 
of  the  land  of  my  life,  my  liberty,  and  my  love. 

And  yet  he  recently  said  to  more  than  one,  "  I  never  shall  live 
out  the  four  years  of  my  term.  When  the  rebellion  is  crushed  my 
work  is  done."  So  it  was.  He  lived  to  see  the  last  battle  fought 
and  to  dictate  a  dispatch  from  the  home  of  Jefferson  Davis — lived 
till  the  power  of  the  rebellion  was  broken,  and  then,  having  done 
the  work  for  which  God  sent  him,  angels,  I  trust,  were  sent  to  shield 
him  from  one  moment  of  pain  or  suffering,  and  to  bear  him  from  this 
world  to  that  high  and  glorious  realm  where  the  patriot  and  good 
shall  live  forever.  His  example  teaches  young  men  that  every  po 
sition  of  eminence  is  open  before  the  diligent  and  the  worthy.  To  the 
active  men  of  the  country  his  example  urges  to  trust  in  God  and  do 
right. 

To  the  ambitious  there  is  this  fearful  lesson:  Of  the  four  can 
didates  for  Presidential  honors  in  1860,  two  of  them,  Douglas  and 
Lincoln,  once  competitors — but  now  sleeping  patriots — rest  from 
their  labors;  Bell  perished  in  poverty  and  misery,  as  a  traitor  might 
perish,  and  Breckinridge  is  a  frighted  fugitive,  with  the  brand  of 
traitor  on  his  brow. 

Standing,  as  we  do  to-day,  by  his  coffin  and  his  sepulchre,  let  us 
resolve  to  carry  forward  the  work  which  he  so  nobly  began.  Let 
us  do  right  to  all  men.  Let  us  vow  in  the  sight  of  Heaven  to  era 
dicate  every  vestige  of  human  slavery,  to  give  every  human  being 
his  true  position  before  God  and  man,  to  crush  every  form  of  rebel 
lion,  and  to  stand  by  the  flag  God  has  given  us.  How  joyful  should 
we  be  that  it  floated  over  parts  of  every  State  before  Mr.  Linoln's  ca 
reer  was  ended.  How  singular  that  to  the  fact  of  the  assassin's 
heel  being  caught  in  the  folds  of  the  flag  we  are  probably  indebted 
for  his  capture.  The  flag  and  the  traitor  must  ever  be  enemies. 

Traitors  will  probably  suffer  by  the  change  of  rulers,  for  one  of 
sterner  mould,  and  one  who  himself  has  deeply  suffered  from  the 
rebellion  now  wields  the  sword  of  justice. 

Our  country,  too,  is  stronger  for  the  trial.  A  republic  was  de 
clared,  by  monarchists,  too  weak  to  endure  a  civil  war,  yet  we  have 
crushed  the  most  gigantic  rebellion  in  history,  and  have  grown  in 
strength  and  population  every  year  of  the  struggle.  We  have 
passed  through  the  ordeal  of  a  popular  election  while  swords  and 
bayonets  were  in  the  field,  and  have  come  out  unharmed.  And  now, 
in  our  hour  of  excitement,  with  a  large  minority  having  proffered 
another  man  for  President,  the  bullet  of  the  assassin  has  laid  our 
President  prostrate.  Has  there  been  a  mutiny  ?  Has  any  rival 
proposed  his  claim  ?  Out  of  the  army  of  nearly  a  million,  no  officer 


THE  RITES  AT  SPRINGFIELD.  239 

or  soldier  uttered  one  note  of  dissent,  and  in  an  hour  or  two  after 
Mr.  Lincoln's  death,  another,  by  constitutional  power,  occupied  his 
chair.  If  the  government  moved  forward  without  one  single  jar, 
the  world  will  learn  that  republics  are  the  strongest  governments 
on  earth. 

And  now,  my  friends,  in  the  words  of  the  departed,  "  with  malice 
towards  none,"  free  from  all  feeling  of  personal  vengeance,  yet  be 
lieving  the  sword  must  not  be  borne  in  vain,  let  us  go  forward  in 
our  painful  duty.  Let  every  man  who  was  a  Senator  and  Repre 
sentative  in  Congress,  and  who  aided  in  beginning  this  rebellion, 
and  thus  led  to  the  slaughter  of  our  sons  and  daughters,  be  brought 
to  speedy  and  to  certain  punishment.  Let  every  officer  educated 
at  public  expense,  and  who,  having  been  advanced  to  position,  has 
perjured  himself,  and  has  turned  his  sword  against  the  vitals  of  his 
country,  be  doomed  to  a  felon's  death.  This,  I  believe,  is  the  will 
of  the  American  people.  Men  may  attempt  to  compromise  and  to 
restore  these  traitors  and  murderers  to  society  again,  but  the 
American  people  will  rise  in  their  majesty  and  sweep  all  such  com 
promises  and  compromisers  away,  arid  shall  declare  that  there  shall 
be  no  peace  to  rebels. 

But  to  the  deluded  masses  we  shall  extend  arms  of  forgiveness. 
We  will  take  them  to  our  hearts.  We  will  walk  with  them  side 
by  side,  as  we  go  forward  to  work  out  a  glorious  destiny.  The 
time  will  come  when,  in  the  beautiful  words  of  him  whose  lips  are 
now  forever  sealed,  "  the  mystic  cords  of  memory  which  stretch 
from  every  battlefield  and  from  every  patriot's  grave  shall  yield  a 
sweeter  music  when  touched  by  the  angels  of  our  better  nature." 


The  oration  was  listened  to  with  the  most  marked  attention, 
and  at  the  conclusion  "  Over  the  Valley  the  Angels  Smile," 
was  sang. 

At  this  stage  of  the  proceeding  Kev.  Dr.  P.  D.  Gurley  arose 
and  made  a  few  remarks,  and  offered  the  closing  prayer.  The 
following  hymn  and  doxology  was  then  sung,  and  the  service 
closed  by  benediction,  by  JRev.  Dr.  Gurley  : 

FUNERAL    HYMN. 

Rest,  noble  martyr !  rest  in  peace  ; 

Rest  with  the  true  and  brave, 
Who,  like  thee,  fell  in  Freedom's  cause, 

The  Nation's  life  to  save. 


240  LINCOLN  MEMORIAL. 

Thy  name  shall  live  while  time  endures, 

And  men  shall  say  of  thee, 
"  He  saved  his  country  from  its  foes, 

And  bade  the  slave  be  free." 

These  deeds  shall  be  thy  monument, 

Better  than  brass  or  stone  ; 
They  leave  thy  fame  in  glory's  light, 

Unrivalled  and  alone. 

This  consecrated  spot  shall  be 

To  Freedom  ever  dear ; 
And  Freedom's  sons  of  every  race 

Shall  weep  and  worship  here. 

0  God !  before  whom  we,  in  tears, 

Our  fallen  Chief  deplore ; 
Grant  that  the  cause,  for  which  he  died, 

May  live  forevermore. 

DOXOLOGT. 

To  Father,  Son,  and  Holy  Ghost, 

The  God  whom  we  adore, 
Be  glory  as  it  was,  is  now, 

And  shall  be  evermore. 

The  troops  and  the  fire  department  then  formed  into  line  and 
marched  back  to  the  city. 

We  have  thus  followed  the  remains  of  President  Lincoln 
from  Washington,  the  scene  of  his  assassination,  to  Springfield, 
his  former  home,  arid  now  to  be  his  final  resting  place.  He 
had  been  absent  from  Springfield  ever  since  he  left  it  in  Feb 
ruary,  1861,  for  the  national  capital,  to  be  inaugurated  as  Pre 
sident  of  the  United  States.  We  have  seen  him  lying  in  state 
in  the  Executive  mansion,  where  the  obsequies  were  attended 
by  numerous  mourners,  some  of  them  clothed  with  the  highest 
public  honors  and  responsibilities  which  our  republican  insti 
tutions  can  bestow,  and  by  the  diplomatic  representatives  of 
foreign  governments.  We  have  followed  the  remains  from 
Washington,  through  Baltimore,  Harrisburg,  Philadelphia, 
New  York,  Albany,  Buffalo,  Cleveland,  Columbus,  Indianap 
olis,  and  Chicago,  to  Springfield,  a  distance  in  circuit  of  1500 
or  1,800  miles.  On  the  route  five  millions  of  people  have  ap 
peared  to  manifest  by  every  means  of  which  they  were  capable 


THE  RITES  AT  SPRINGFIELD.  241 

their  deep  sense  of  the  public  loss,  and  their  appreciation  of 
the  many  virtues  which  adorned  the  life  of  Abraham  Lincoln, 
and  one  million  came  in  order  and  sorrow  to  gaze  on  his  lifeless 
countenance.  All  classes,  without  distinction  of  politics,  spon 
taneously  united  in  the  posthumous  honors.'  All  hearts  seemed 
to  beat  as  one  at  the  bereavement ;  and  now  funeral  processions 
are  ended,  our  mournful  duty  of  escorting  the  mortal  remains 
of  Abraham  Lincoln  to  Springfield  is  performed.  We  have 
seen  them  laid  in  the  tomb.  The  gratitude  of  his  country  will 
rear  noble  monuments  to  commemorate  his  virtues  and  his 
services :  a  more  enduring  monument  is  in  the  hearts  of  his 

countrymen. 

16 


VIII. 
THE  EFFECT  IN  EUROPE, 


AND  him,  the  good,  the  great, 

Crowned  by  a  martyr's  Me, 

What  words  can  fitly  utter  forth 

His  manly  virtues  and  his  worth? 

Perchance  he  did  not  seem 

So  great  to  those  who  deem 

A  traitor  or  a  Nero 

May  be  a  glorious  hero. 

If  he  but  wear  a  classic  face, 

Or  ape  the  superficial  grace 

That  marks  the  scion  of  a  titled  race. 

Not  such  was  he  for  whom  we  mourn ; 

Of  gentle  blood  he  was  not  born, 

Nor  heir  to  patrimonial  lands 

Tilled  by  the  bondman's  unrequited  hands. 

He  inherited  a  heart, 

As  an  infant's,  void  of  art; 

Yet  imbued  with  a  Titanic  might, 

In  his  hate  of  wrong,  his  love  of  right: 

His  was  the  celestial  beauty 

Of  a  soul  that  does  its  duty. 

Noble  patriot,  husband,  father, 

He  did  not  seek  to  gather 

The  laurels  of  a  wild  ambition, 

That  only  yield  a  vain  fruition. 

To  benefit  mankind,— this  was  his  aim; 

To  labor  and  to  live  unstained  with  blame : 

He  died  without  a  blot  upon  his  name. 

Let  a  requiem  sublime 

Ascend  from  every  clime! 

Let  the  weary  and  oppressed, 

From  North  and  South,  from  East  and  West, 

For  whom  his  great  heart  yearned, 

For  whom  his  spirit  burned, 

To  give  their  sufferings  rest, — 

Let  all  arise  with  lamentation, 

And,  with  his  own  beloved  nation, 

Bequeath  the  fame 

Of  LINCOLN'S  name — 

A  heritage  for  veneration— 

To  the  remotest  generation ! 

S.  6.  W.  Jteryamin. 


VIII. 

EFFECT  OF  THE  DEATH  IN  EUROPE. 


IN  Europe,  the  fast  crowding  events  in  America  had  wound 
public  attention  to  the  highest  point  of  tension.  The  triumph 
of  Sherman,  the  fall  of  Kichmond,  the  retreat  and  surrender  of 
Lee,  the  complete  paralyzation  of  Johnson,  all  came  in  rapid 
succession.  The  sudden  blow  of  the  murder  of  Lincoln  was  as 
terrible  as  it  was  unexpected.  The  public  at  large,  the  press, 
the  civic  bodies,  the  House  of  Commons,  nay,  even  the  House  of 
Lords,  and  the  Queen,  all  hastened  to  express  their  grief,  horror, 
and  sympathy. 

The  London  Times  says  : — 

"  The  intelligence  of  the  assassination  of  President  Lincoln  and 
of  the  attempt  to  assassinate  Mr.  Seward,  caused  a  most  extraor 
dinary  sensation  in  the  city  on  Wednesday.  Towards  noon  the 
news  became  known,  and  it  spread  rapidly  from  mouth  to  mouth 
in  all  directions.  At  first,  many  were  incredulous  as  to  the  truth 
of  the  rumor,  and  some  believed  it  to  have  been  set  afloat  for  pur 
poses  in  connection  with  the  stock  exchange.  The  house  of  Pea- 
body  &  Co.,  American  bankers,  in  Broad  street,  had  received  early 
intelligence  of  the  assassination,  and  from  there  the  news  was 
carried  to  the  Bank  of  England,  whence  it  quickly  radiated  in  a 
thousand  directions.  Meanwhile  it  was  being  wafted  far  and  wide 
by  the  second  editions  of  the  morning  papers,  and  was  supple 
mented  later  in  the  day  by  the  publication  of  additional  particulars. 
Shortly  after  twelve  o'clock  it  was  communicated  to  the  Lord 
Mayor  while  he  was  sitting  in  the  justice-room  of  the  Mansion 
House,  and  about  the  same  time  the  4  star-spangled  banner '  was 
hoisted  half-mast  high  over  the  American  consulate,  at  the  corner 
of  Grace-church  street.  The  same  flag  had  but  a  few  days  before 
floated  in  triumph  from  the  same  place  on  the  entry  of  the  Fede 
rals  into  Richmond,  and  still  later  on  the  surrender  of  Gen.  Lee. 
Between  one  and  two  o'clock  the  third  edition  of  the  Times,  con- 


M6  LINCOLN  MEMORIAL. 

taining  a  circumstantial  narrative  of  the  affair,  made  its  appearance 
in  the  city,  and  became  immediately  in  extraordinary  demand.  A 
newsvender  in  the  Royal  Exchange  was  selling  it  at  half-a-crown 
a  copy,  and  by  half  past  three  o'clock  it  could  not  be  had  for 
money.  The  excitement  caused  by  the  intelligence  was  every 
where  manifest,  and  in  the  streets,  on  the  rail,  on  the  river,  in  the 
law  courts,  the  terrible  event  was  the  theme  of  conversation.  The 
revival  of  the  event  of  the  Roadhill  murder,  which  in  the  earlier 
part  of  the  day  had  created  a  profound  sensation,  sank  into  insig 
nificance  in  comparison  with  the  interest  and  astonishment  excited 
by  the  news  of  the  tragedy  at  Washington.  A  photographer  in 
Cornhill,  '  taking  time  by  the  forelock,'  exhibited  cartes  of  the 
deceased  President  in  his  window,  inscribed  i  the  late  Mr.  Lincoln,' 
accompanied  by  an  account  of  the  assassination  cut  from  the 
second  edition  of  a  contemporary.  Throughout  the  remainder  of 
the  day,  the  evening  papers  were  sold  in  unexampled  numbers,  and 
often  at  double  and  treble  the  ordinary  price,  all  evincing  the  uni 
versal  interest  felt  at  the  astounding  intelligence.  On  the  receipt 
of  the  melancholy  intelligence  in  the  House  of  Commons,  about 
sixty  members  of  all  parties  immediately  assembled,  and  signed 
the  following  address  of  sympathy  to  the  American  Minis 
ter: 

u '  We,  the  undersigned,  members  of  the  British  House  of  Com 
mons,  have  learnt  with  the  deepest  horror  and  regret,  that  the 
President  of  the  United  States  of  America  has  been  deprived  of 
life  by  an  act  of  violence,  and  we  desire  to  express  our  sympathy 
on  the  sad  event  with  the  American  Minister,  now  in  London,  as 
well  as  to  declare  our  hope  and  confidence  in  the  future  of  that 
great  country,  which  we  trust  will  continue  to  be  associated  with 
enlightened  freedom  and  peaceful  relations  with  this  and  every 
other  country. 

"'LONDON,  April  29,  1866.'" 

On  Saturday  evening,  the  29th  of  April,  an  immense  public 
meeting  convened,  under  the  auspices  of  the  Emancipation  Society, 
in  St.  James's  Hall,  to  express  feelings  of  grief  and  horror  at  the 
assassination  of  President  Lincoln,  and  sympathy  with  the  govern 
ment  and  people  of  the  United  States,  and  with  Mrs.  Lincoln,  Mr. 
Seward  and  family.  The  galleries  of  the  hall  were  draped  in  black. 
Over  the  end  of  the  gallery  hung  the  American  flag.  The  hall  was 
crowded  with  an  audience  who  manifested  not  merely  their  warm 
admiration  of  the  character  and  capacity  of  the  late  President,  and 
sincere  sympathy  with  the  people  of  the  United  States  in  the  loss 


EFFECT  OF  THE  DEATH  IN  EUROPE.  247 

sustained,  but  their  hearty  approval  of  the  great  cause  Mr.  Lincoln 
represented. 

The  platform  contained  an  array  of  Parliamentary  gentlemen, 
and  many  leading  citizens  of  the  metropolis.  Many  ladies  were 
present,  a  majority  of  whom  were  in  mourning. 

Various  resolutions  were  carried,  not  merely  with  unanimity,  but 
with  an  intense  feeling  rarely  seen  at  public  meetings. 

The  chair  was  occupied  by  William  Evans,  President  of  the 
Emancipation  Society.  Messrs.  Forster,  Stansfield,  Leathern,  Tay 
lor,  Potter,  Baxter,  and  Baines,  members  of  Parliament,  commenced 
the  proceedings  with  expressions  of  deep  sympathy  with  the  Ame 
rican  Government  and  people,  and  entire  confidence  in  the  Adminis 
tration  of  President  Johnson. 

The  Chairman  was  supported  by  twenty  influential  members  of 
Parliament,  and  a  large  array  of  distinguished  Presidents,  repre 
senting  every  section  of  the  community. 

Letters  of  sympathy  were  received  from  Sir  Charles  Lyell,  Lord 
Houlton,  and  others. 

W.  E.  Forster,  member  of  Parliament,  moved  the  first  resolution, 
that  this  meeting  desires  to  give  utterance  to  the  feelings  of  grief 
and  horror  with  which  it  has  heard  of  the  assassination  of  Presi 
dent  Lincoln  and  the  murderous  attack  on  Mr.  Seward,  and  to 
convey  to  Mrs.  Lincoln,  and  the  United  States  Government  and 
the  people,  the  expression  of  its  profound  sympathy  and  heartfelt 
condolence. 

Mr.  Forster  said  this  was  the  time  when  the  tie  of  blood  binding 
Englishmen  to  Americans  was  indeed  truly  felt.  A  thrill  of  grief, 
horror,  and  indignation,  which  has  passed  through  the  length  and 
breadth  of  Europe,  and  especially  possesses  the  heart  of  every 
Englishman  as  though  some  painful  calamity  had  fallen  on  him 
self.  This  meeting  would  send  by  the  ship  which  left  their 
shores  that  night,  its  sympathy  with  the  widows  and  orphans  and 
country,  who  had  not  lost  their  faith  for  the  future.  He  was  con 
fident  in  the  belief  that  they  had  so  learnt  the  lesson  of  common 
history  that  they  would  prove  what  strength  free  and  Christian 
people  have  to  bear  up  against  every  blow  like  this,  though  it  be 
such  a  blow  as  had  rarely  ever  fallen  upon  any  commonwealth. 
He  expressed  his  convictions  that  President  Johnson  would  con 
tinue  President  Lincoln's  work  of  restoring  peace  to  the  country, 
and  insuring  freedom  to  all  who  dwell  in  it 

P.  A.  Taylor,  M.P.,  seconded  the  resolution.  He  expressed 
deep  sympathy  with  the  American  nation,  which  had  lost  a  worthy 
successor  of  Washington.  Lincoln's  great  task  had  been  fulfilled. 


248  LINCOLN  MEMORIAL. 

He  had  crushed  the  rebellion  of  the  slaveholder.  Time,  the  des 
troyer,  had  not  withered  one  leaf  in  the  chaplet  of  his  glory.  He 
had  no  fear  that  the  Government  of  the  United  States  would  fall 
into  the  career  of  revengeful  retribution.  He  asked  the  audience 
to  remember  that  for  years  portions  of  the  press  and  people  had 
heaped  every  epithet  of  abuse  upon  Lincoln,  and  were  now  trying 
to  do  the  same  thing  by  Johnson.  He  felt  confident  that  the 
efforts  of  the  new  government  would  be  continued  in  the  same 
direction  as  Lincoln's,  and  that  it  would  soon  effect  the  complete 
restoration  of  the  Union  with  the  complete  emancipation  of  the 
negro.  Lincoln  died  for  that  principle,  but  his  death  was  not  the 
symbol  of  its  defeat,  but  of  its  glorious  triumph ! 

Mr.  Leathern,  M.P.,  brother-in-law  of  Mr.  Bright,  concurred  in 
the  hearty  tribute  paid  to  the  character  and  services  of  President 
Lincoln.  They  had  seen  America  pass  triumphantly  through 
gigantic  perils,  and  they  confidently  expected  that  she  would  come 
out  with  equal  fortitude  and  equal  dignity  from  what  was  perhaps 
the  last  and  greatest  of  her  triumphs. 

Mr.  Stansfield,  M.P.,  moved  the  next  resolution,  viz : 

That  this  meeting  desires  to  express  its  entire  confidence  in  the 
determination  and  power  of  the  people  and  Government  of  the 
United  States  to  carry  out  to  the  fullest  extent  the  policy  of  which 
Abraham  Lincoln's  Presidential  career  was  the  embodiment,  and 
establish  free  institutions  throughout  the  whole  American  popula 
tion. 

Mr.  Stansfield  said  they  had  met  not  only  to  give  an  expression 
of  their  horror  at  a  deed  so  foul  that  history  could  produce  no 
parallel,  but  to  show  our  sympathy  for  a  cause  which  begins  by 
being  honorable  and  great  to  be  righteous,  and  which  by  the  acts 
and  by  the  life  and  death  of  its  Martyr  President  had  now  become 
sacred  in  their  eyes.  The  South  had  been  fighting  for  the  avowed 
and  deliberate  purpose  of  promoting  and  perpetuating  human 
slavery.  It  attempted  to  found  its  subsistence  upon  a  national 
crime,  and  had  met  the  deserved  fate  of  those  who  set  themselves 
against  the  laws  of  God  and  man.  The  North  had  been  fighting  for 
a  common  country,  which  they  would  share,  but  which  they  would 
not  allow  to  be  torn  asunder.  Step  by  step  the  North  rose  to  the 
height  of  the  great  and  holy  argument  on  which  their  cause  was 
founded.  Each  delay,  each  defeat,  seemed  but  to  make  their 
resolve  firmer,  and  higher  and  purer  their  policy.  When  the 
South  finally  abolished  slavery  throughout  its  States,  then  victory 
would  finally  crown  their  cause.  Throughout  all  this  period, 
Lincoln  guided  his  country  with  honor.  If  anything  could 


EFFECT  OF  THE  DEATH  IN  EUROPE.  240 

strengthen  the  States  in  their  trial,  it  would  be  the  deepfelt,  spon 
taneous,  and  universal  sympathy  which  was  now  travelling  to  them 
from  Europe.  He  was  sure  all  prayed  that  the  government  and 
people  might  be  true  to  the  example  of  him  who  was  the  guide  of 
their  cause. 

Mr.  J.  B.  Potter,  M.P.,  seconded  the  motion.  He  said  he  now 
stood  in  Parliament  as  successor  of  Richard  Cobden,  whose  object 
it  was,  equally  with  that  of  Lincoln,  to  dignify  labor.  Lincoln 
destroyed  slavery  in  America.  It  should  be  their  wish  to  destroy 
serfdom  at  home.  And  he  trusted  the  result  of  the  conflict  in  Ame 
rica  would  be  to  give  an  impetus  to  the  cause  of  reform  in  Europe. 

Mr.  Baxter,  M.P.,  supported  the  resolution.  He  expressed 
hearty  concurrence  with  the  eloquent  tributes  paid  to  the  memory 
of  President  Lincoln.  All  the  events  of  the  last  four  years  dwin 
dled  into  insignificance  before  the  issues  involved  in  the  great  con 
test  in  America.  Not  only  was  the  great  question  of  slavery 
involved  in  the  contest,  but  the  question  of  constitutional  govern 
ment  all  through  the  world.  He  did  not  believe  a  great  cause 
depended  on  a  single  life,  and  felt  confident  that  the  American 
people  would  hurry  to  a  triumphant  issue  the  policy  and  principles 
of  Abraham  Lincoln. 

Hon.  Lyneph  Stanley,  second  son  of  Lord  Stanley  of  Aldersley, 
a  member  of  the  cabinet,  expressed  his  admiration  for  the  charac 
ter  of  Mr.  Lincoln. 

Professor  Fawcett  also  supported  the  resolutions. 

Mr.  Shaw  Lefevre,  M.P.,  said  the  men  who  elected  Lincoln 
could  not  be  wrong  in  the  choice  of  Johnson. 

Mr.  Caird,  M.P.,  moved  that  copies  of  the  foregoing  resolutions 
be  placed  in  the  hands  of  Mr.  Adams  for  transmission  to  the  Pre 
sident  of  the  United  States,  Mrs.  Lincoln,  and  Mr.  Seward.  He 
paid  a  warm  compliment  to  the  American  Minister,  whose  mode 
ration  and  firmness  and  conciliation  had  been  the  best  preservation 
of  peace  between  the  two  countries.  The  resolutions  were  sup 
ported  by  Greefell,  Curren,  and  Ewing,  members  of  Parliament, 
and  Rev.  Newman  Hall  and  Mason  Jones. 

Cyrus  W.  Field,  who  was  called  for,  and  received  with  great 
applause,  thanked  the  chairman  and  the  meeting  on  behalf  of  the 
American  people,  for  their  deep  sympathy  with  the  thirty  millions 
on  the  other  side  of  the  Atlantic,  who  were  mourning  for  the 
death  of  Abraham  Lincoln. 

The  scene  on  the  Liverpool  Exchange  was  such  as  will  not  be 
forgotten  for  a  long  time.  At  half-past  eleven  it  was  announced 
that  Mr.  Younghusband,  the  secretary  and  treasurer  of  the  Liver- 


250  LINCOLN  MEMORIAL. 

pool  Exchange  3^ews  Rooms,  was  in  possession  of  the  news.  A 
terrible  rush  took  place  from  the  'flags'  into  the  news-room ;  and 
after  a  few  minutes  it  was  announced  that  Mr.  Younghusband 
would  read  aloud  the  dispatch  from  the  bar  of  the  news-room.  All 
was  now  silent;  the  passage  wherein  it  was  stated  that  President 
Lincoln  had  been  shot  at  caused  no  great  dismay ;  but  when  the 
master  of  the  rooms  read,  'The  President  never  rallied,  and  died 
this  morning,'  there  was  a  general  expression  of  horror.  Certainly 
there  was  one  dissentient  voice,  who  had  the  temerity  to  exclaim 
'  Hurrah  !'  His  presence  in  the  news-room  was  of  short  duration, 
for,  being  seized  by  the  collar  by  as  good  a  Southerner  as  there  is 
in  Liverpool,  he  was  summarily  ejected  from  the  room,  the  gentle 
man  who  first  seized  him  exclaiming,  '  Be  off,  you  incarnate  fiend  ! 
you  are  an  assassin  at  heart.'  In  the  course  of  the  afternoon  the 
flags  on  the  American  Consul's  house  and  the  Exchange  buildings 
were  placed  at  half-mast ;  and  a  deputation,  irrespective  of  American 
party  feelings,  proceeded  to  the  Town  Hall,  in  order  to  consult 
with  the  mayor  as  to  the  desirability  of  holding  a  public  meeting 
for  the  purpose  of  sending  out  an  address  of  condolence  to  the 
people  of  the  United  States.  The  mayor  being  absent,  no  definite 
arrangement  was  arrived  at,  but  the  deputy  mayor  gave  orders 
that  the  Town  Hall  flag  should  be  at  once  hoisted  half-mast.  The 
American  ships  in  the  river  and  in  the  docks,  as  soon  as  the  news 
was  knowrn,  hoisted  '  half-high '  flags,  and  in  many  instances  the 
Union  Jack  and  the  Stars  and  Stripes  were  bound  together  with 
crape  or  black  cloth.  The  President  of  the  Southern  Club  con 
vened  a  meeting  of  all  the  members,  for  the  purpose  of  ascertain 
ing  whether  it  was  desirable  to  take  any  official  action  upon  the 
event.  The  members  of  the  club  were  unanimous  in  their  expres 
sion  of  abhorrence  and  reprobation  of  the  foul  deed. 

On  the  afternoon  of  the  27th,  a  meeting  of  the  merchants  was 
held  at  St.  George's  Hall.  The  Mayor  presided  ;  and  he  and  seve 
ral  leading  merchants  made  speeches  denouncing  the  crime  and 
expressing  sympathy  with  the  people  of  the  United  States  in  strong 
terms.  A  resolution,  expressing  sorrow  and  indignation,  regard 
less  of  all  differences  of  opinion  politically,  was  unanimously  adopt 
ed,  and  ordered  to  be  sent  to  the  American  Minister  at  London,  to 
Mrs.  Lincoln,  and  to  Mr.  Seward. 

On  the  evening  of  the  same  day,  and  at  the  same  place,  there 
was  another  great  meeting  of  the  working  classes,  at  which  similar 
resolutions  were  adopted.  A  resolution  of  a  more  political  charac 
ter  was  offered,  and  led  to  confusion,  amidst  which  the  meeting 
was  adjourned. 


EFFECT  OF  THE  DEATH  IN  EUROPE. 

(From  the  London  Star.) 

"  For  Abraham  Lincoln  one  cry  of  universal  regret  will  be  raised 
all  over  the  civilized  earth.  We  do  not  believe  that  even  the 
fiercest  partisans  of  the  Confederacy  in  this  country,  will  entertain 
any  sentiment  at  such  a  time  but  one  of  grief  and  horror.  To  us, 
Abraham  Lincoln  has  already  seemed  the  finest  character  produced 
by  the  American  war  on  either  side  of  the  struggle.  He  was  great, 
not  merely  by  the  force  of  genius — and  only  the  word  genius  will 
describe  the  power  of  intellect  by  which  he  guided  himself 
and  his  country  through  such  a  crisis — but  by  the  simple,  natural 
strength  and  grandeur  of  his  character.  Talleyrand  once  said  of 
a  great  American  statesman  that  without  experience  he  '  divined ' 
his  way  through  any  crisis.  Mr.  Lincoln  thus  divined  his  way 
through  the  perilous,  exhausting,  and  unprecedented  difficulties  which 
might  well  have  broken  the  strength  and  blinded  the  prescience 
of  the  best  trained  professional  statesmen.  He  seemed  to  arrive 
by  instinct — by  the  instinct  of  a  noble,  unselfish,  and  manly  nature 
— at  the  very  ends  which  the  highest  of  political  genius,  the 
longest  of  political  experience,  could  have  done  no  more  than  reach. 
He  bore  himself  fearlessly  in  danger,  calmly  in  difficulty,  modestly 
in  success.  The  world  was  at  last  beginning  to  know  how  good, 
and,  in  the  best  sense,  how  great  a  man  he  was.  It  had  long, 
indeed,  learned  that  he  was  as  devoid  of  vanity  as  of  fear ;  but  it 
had  only  just  come  to  know  what  magnanimity  and  mercy  the 
hour  of  triumph  would  prove  that  he  possessed.  Reluctant 
enemies  were  just  beginning  to  break  into  eulogy  over  his  wise  and 
noble  clemency  when  the  dastard  hand  of  a  vile  murderer  de 
stroyed  his  noble  and  valuable  life.  We  in  England  have  something 
to  feel  ashamed  of  when  we  meditate  upon  the  greatness  of  the 
man  so  ruthlessly  slain.  Too  many  Englishmen  lent  themselves 
to  the  vulgar  and  ignoble  cry  which  was  raised  against  him. 
English  writers  degraded  themselves  to  the  level  of  the  coarsest 
caricaturists  when  they  had  to  tell  of  Abraham  Lincoln.  They 
stooped  to  criticise  a  foreign  patriot  as  a  menial  might  comment  on 
the  bearing  of  a  hero.  They  sneered  at  his  manner,  as  if  Cromwell 
was  a  Chesterfield ;  they  accused  him  of  ugliness,  as  if  Mirabeau 
was  a  beauty ;  they  made  coarse  pleasantry  of  bis  figure,  as  if  Peel 
was  a  posture-master ;  they  were  facetious  about  his  dress,  as  if 
Cavour  was  a  D'Orsay ;  they  were  indignant  about  his  jokes,  as  if 
Palmerston  never  jested.  We  do  not  remember  any  instance  since 
the  wildest  days  of  British  fury  against  the  Corsican  "  Ogre,"  in 
which  a  foreign  statesman  was  ever  so  dealt  with  in  English 
writings  as  Mr.  Lincoln.  And  when  we  make  the  comparison  we 


252  LINCOLN  MEMORIAL. 

cannot  but  remember  that  while  Napoleon  was  our  unscrupulous 
enemy  Lincoln  was  our  steady  friend.  Assailed  by  the  coarsest 
attacks  on  this  side  of  the  ocean,  tried  by  the  sorest  temptations 
on  that,  Abraham  Lincoln  calmly  and  steadfastly  maintained  a 
policy  of  peace  with  England,  and  never  did  a  deed,  never  wrote 
or  spoke  a  word  which  was  unjust  or  unfriendly  to  the  British 
nation.  Had  such  a  man  died  by  the  hand  of  disease  in  the  hour 
of  his  triumph,  the  world  must  have  mourned  for  his  loss.  That 
he  has  fallen  by  the  coward  hand  of  a  vile  assassin,  exasperates 
and  embitters  the  grief  beyond  any  power  of  language  to  express." 

[From  the  London  Daily  N~ews,  April  27.] 

"  In  the  hour  of  his  great  work  done,  President  Lincoln  has  fallen. 
Not,  indeed,  in  the  flush  of  triumph,  for  no  thought  of  triumph 
was  in  that  honest  and  humble  heart,  nor  in  the  intoxication  of 
applause,  for  the  fruits  of  victory  were  not  yet  gathered  in  his 
hand,  was  the  Chief  of  the  American  people,  the  foremost  man  in 
the  great  Christian  revolution  of  our  age,  struck  down.  But  his 
task  was,  nevertheless,  accomplished,  and  the  battle  of  his  life  was 
•won.  So  he  passes  away  from  the  heat  and  the  toil  that  still  have 
to  be  endured,  full  of  the  honor  that  belongs  to  one  who  has  nobly 
done  his  part,  and  carrying  in  his  last  thoughts  the  sense  of  deep, 
steadfast  thankfulness  that  he  now  could  see  the  assured  coming 
of  that  end  for  which  he  had  so  long  striven  in  faith  and  hope. 
*  *  *  In  all  time  to  come,  not  among  Americans  only,  but 
among  all  who  think  of  manhood  as  more  than  rank,  and  set  worth 
above  display,  the  name  of  Abraham  Lincoln  will  be  held  in 
reverence.  Rising  from  among  the  poorest  of  the  people,  winning 
his  slow  way  upward  by  sheer  hard  work,  preserving  in  every  suc 
cessive  stage  a  character  unspotted  and  a  name  untainted,  securing 
a  wider  respect  as  he  became  better  known,  never  pretending  to 
more  than  he  was,  nor  being  less  than  he  professed  himself,  he  was 
at  length,  for  very  singleness  of  heart  and  uprightness  of  conduct, 
because  all  felt  that  they  could  trust  him  utterly,  and  would  desire 
to  be  guided  by  his  firmness,  courage,  and  sense,  placed  in  the 
chair  of  President  at  the  turning-point  of  his  nation's  history.  A 
life  so  true,  rewarded  by  a  dignity  so  majestic,  was  defence  enough 
against  the  petty  shafts  of  malice  which  party  spirit,  violent  enough 
to  light  a  civil  war,  aimed  against  him.  The  lowly  callings  he  had 
first  pursued,  became  his  titles  to  greater  respect  among  those 
whose  respect  was  worth  having ;  the  little  external  rusticities 
only  showed  more  brightly,  as  the  rough  matrix  the  golden  ore, 
the  true  dignity  of  his  nature.  Never-  was  any  one^  set  in  such 


EFFECT  OF  THE  DEATH  IN  EUROPE  253 

high  place,  and  surrounded  with  so  many  motives  of  furious 
detraction,  so  little  impeached  of  aught  blameworthy.  The  bitter 
est  enemy  could  find  no  more  to  lay  to  his  charge  than  that  his 
language  was  sometimes  too  homely  for  a  supersensitive  taste,  or 
that  he  conveyed  in  a  jesting  phrase  what  they  deemed  more  suited 
for  a  statelier  style.  But  against  these  specks,  what  thorough 
nobility  have  we  not  to  set  ?  A  purity  of  thought,  word,  and  deed 
never  challenged,  a  disinterestedness  never  suspected,  an  honesty 
of  purpose  never  impugned,  a  gentleness  and  tenderness  that  never 
made  a  private  enemy  or  alienated  a  friend — these  are  indeed 
qualities  which  may  \*ell  make  a  nation  mourn.  But  he  had 
intellect  as  well  as  goodness.  Cautiously  conservative,  fearing  to 
pass  the  limits  of  established  systems,  seeking  the  needful  amend 
ments  rather  from  growth  than  alteration,  he  proved  himself  in  the 
crisis  the  very  man  best  suited  for  his  post.  *  *  *  " 

The  House  of  Lords — Remarks  of  Earl  Russell. 

-House  of  Lords,  Monday,  May  1  : — My  lords,  I  rise  to  ask  your 
lordships  to  address  her  Majesty,  praying  that  in  any  communica 
tion  which  her  Majesty  may  make  to  the  government  of  the  United 
States  expressing  her  abhorrence  and  regret  at  the  great  crime 
which  has  been  committed  in  the  murder  of  the  President  of  that 
country,  her  Majesty  will  at  the  same  time  express  the  sorrow  and 
indignation  felt  by  this  House  at  that  atrocious  deed.  In  this  case 
I  am  sure  your  lordships  will  feel  entire  sympathy  with  her  Majesty, 
who  has  instructed  me  already  to  express  to  the  government  of  the 
United  States  the  shock  which  she  felt  at  the  intelligence  of  the 
great  crime  which  has  been  committed.  Her  Majesty  has  also 
been  pleased  to  write  a  private  letter  to  Mrs.  Lincoln,  expressive  of 
sympathy  with  that  lady  in  her  misfortune.  I  think  that  your 
lordships  will  agree  with  me  that  in  modern  times  there  has  hardly 
been  a  crime  committed  so  abhorrent  to  the  feelings  of  every 
civilized  person  as  the  one  I  am  now  alluding  to.  After  the  first 
election  of  Mr.  Lincoln  as  President  of  the  United  States,  he  was 
re-elected  to  the  same  high  position  by  the  large  majority  of  the 
people  remaining  faithful  to  the  government  of  the  United  States, 
and  he  was  in  the  discharge  of  the  duties  of  his  office,  having 
borne  his  faculties  meekly,  at  the  moment  when  an  assassin  attacked 
him  at  the  theatre.  There  are  circumstances  connected  with  this 
crime  which,  I  think,  aggravate  its  atrocity.  President  Lincoln 
was  a  man  who,  though  not  conspicuous  before  his  election,  had 
since  displayed  a  character  of  so  much  integrity,  so  much  sincerity 
and  straightforwardness,  and  at  the  same  time  of  so  much  kind- 


254  LINCOLN  MEMORIAL. 

ness,  that  if  any  one  was  able  to  alleviate  the  pain  and  animosi 
ties  which  prevailed  during  the  period  of  civil  war,  I  believe  that 
Abraham  Lincoln  was  that  person.  It  was  remarked  of  Presi 
dent  Lincoln  that  he  always  felt  disinclined  to  adopt  harsh  mea 
sures,  and  I  am  told  that  the  commanders  of  his  armies  often  com 
plained  that  when  they  had  passed  a  sentence  which  they  thought 
no  more  than  just,  the  President  was  always  disposed  to  temper 
the  severity.  Such  a  man  this  particular  epoch  requires.  The 
conduct  of  the  armies  of  the  United  States  was  entrusted  to  other 
hands,  and  on  the  commanders  fell  the  responsibility  of  leading  the 
armies  in  the  field  to  victory.  They  had  been  successful  against 
those  they  had  had  to  contend  with,  and  the  moment  had  come 
when,  undoubtedly,  the  responsibilities  of  President  Lincoln  were 
greatly  increased  by  their  success.  But,  though  it  was  not  for  him 
to  lead  the  armies,  it  would  have  been  his  to  temper  the  pride  of 
victory,  to  assuage  the  misfortunes  which  his  adversaries  had  expe 
rienced,  and  especially  to  show,  as  he  was  well  qualified  to  show, 
that  high  respect  for  valor  on  the  opposite  side,  which  had  been  so 
conspicuously  displayed.  It  was  to  be  hoped  that  by  such  quali 
ties,  when  the  conflict  of  arms  was  over,  the  task  of  conciliation 
might  have  been  begun,  and  President  Lincoln  would  have  an 
anthority  which  no  one  else  could  have  had  to  temper  that  exaspe 
ration  which  always  arises  in  the  course  of  civil  strife.  Upon  ano 
ther  question  the  United  States  and  the  Confederates  will  have  a 
most  difficult  task  to  perform.  I  allude  to  the  question  of  slavery, 
which  some  have  always  maintained  to  have  been  the  cause  of  the 
civil  war.  At  the  beginning  the  House  will  remember  that  Presi 
dent  Lincoln  declared  that  he  had  no  right  by  the  constitution  to 
interfere  with  slavery.  At  a  later  period  he  made  a  communica 
tion  to  the  Commander-in-Chief  of  the  United  States  forces  in 
which  he  proposed  that  in  certain  States  the  slaves  should  be 
entirely  free ;  but  at  a  later  period  he  proposed  what  he  had  a 
constitutional  qualification  to  propose,  that  there  should  be  an 
alteration  in  the  constitution  of  the  United  States,  by  which  com 
pulsory  labor  should  hereafter  be  forbidden.  I  remember  that 
Lord  Macaulay  once  declared  that  it  would  have  been  a  great 
blessing  if  the  penal  laws  against  the  Catholics  had  been  abolished 
from  the  time  of  Sir  R.  Walpole,  though  Sir  R.  Walpole  would 
have  been  mad  to  propose  a  measure  for  that  purpose.  So  the 
same  may  be  said  of  slavery,  though  I  believe  that  the  United 
States  were  justified  in  delaying  the  time  when  that  great  altera 
tion  of  the  United  States  law  should  take  place. 

But,  whatever  we  may  think  on  these  subjects,  we  must  all 


EFFECT  OF  THE  DEATH  IN  EUROPE  £55 

deeply  deplore  that  the  death  of  President  Lincoln  has  deprived 
the  United  States  of  a  man,  a,  leader  on  this  subject,  who  by  his 
temper  was  qualified  to  propose  such  a  measure  as  might  have- 
made  this  great  change  acceptable  to  those  before  opposed  to  it, 
and  might  have  preserved  the  peace  of  the  great  republic  of 
America,  while  undergoing  that  entire  new  organization  which 
would  be  necessary  under  such  circumstances.  I  think  we  must 
all  feel  both  sympathy  with  the  United  States  in  this  great  afflic 
tion,  and  also  a  hope  that  he  who  is  now,  according  to  the  American 
constitution,  entrusted  with  the  power  of  the  late  President,  may 
be  able,  both  on  the  one  subject  and  on  the  other — both  in  respect 
to  mercy  and  leniency  toward  the  conquered,  and  also  with  regard 
to  the  measures  to  be  adopted  for  the  new  organization  which  the 
abolition  of  slavery  will  render  requisite — to  overcome  all  diffi 
culties.  I  had  some  time  ago,  at  the  commencement  of  this  con 
test,  occasion  to  say  that  I  did  not  believe  that  the  great  republic 
of  America  would  perish  in  this  war,  and  the  noble  lord  at  the 
head  of  the  government  had  lately  occasion  to  disclaim,  on  the 
part  of  the  government  of  this  country,  any  feeling  of  envy  at  the 
greatness  and  prosperity  of  the  United  States.  The  course  which 
her  Majesty's  government  have  had  to  pursue  during  this  civil 
war  has  been  one  of  great  anxiety.  Difficulties  have  occurred  to 
us  and  difficulties  have  also  occurred  to  the  government  of  the 
United  States  in  maintaining  the  peaceful  relations  between  the 
two  countries ;  but  those  difficulties  have  always  been  treated  with 
temper  and  moderation,  both  on  this  side  and  the  other  side  of  the 
Atlantic.  I  trust  that  that  temper  and  moderation  may  continue ; 
and  I  can  assure  this  House  that,  as  we  have  always  been  guided 
by  the  wish  that  the  American  government  and  the  American  peo 
ple  should  settle  for  themselves  the  conflict  of  arms  without  any 
interference  of  ours,  so  likewise  during  the  attempt  that  has  to  be 
made  to  restore  peace  and  tranquillity  to  America  we  shall  equally 
refrain  from  any  kind  of  interference  or  intervention,  though  we 
trust  that  the  efforts  to  be  made  for  restoring  peace  will  be  suc 
cessful,  and  that  the  great  republic  of  America  will  always  flourish 
and  enjoy  the  freedom  it  has  hitherto  enjoyed.  I  have  nothing  to 
say  with  regard  to  the  successor  of  Mr.  Lincoln.  Time  must  show 
how  far  he  is  able  to  conduct  the  difficult  matters  which  will  come 
under  his  consideration  with  the  requisite  wisdom.  All  I  can  say 
is,  that  in  the  presence  of  the  great  crime  which  has  just  been 
committed,  and  of  the  great  calamity  which  has  fallen  on  the 
American  nation,  the  Crown,  the  Parliament,  and  the  people  of 
this  country  do  feel  the  deepest  interest  for  the  government  and 


256  LINCOLN  MEMORIAL. 

the  people  of  the  United  States ;  for,  owing  to  the  nature  of  the 
relations  between  the  two  nations,  the  misfortunes  of  the  United 
States  affect  us  more  than  the  misfortunes  of  any  other  country  on 
the  face  of  the  globe.  The  noble  earl  concluded  by  moving  an 
humble  address  to  her  Majesty  to  express  the  sorrow  and  indigna 
tion  of  this  House  at  the  assassination  of  the  President  of  the 
United  States,  and  to  pray  her  Majesty  to  communicate  these  senti 
ments  on  the  part  of  this  House  to  the  government  of  the 
United  States. 

Remarks  of  Earl  Derby. 

My  lords,  when,  upon  the  last  occasion  of  our  meeting,  the  noble 
earl  opposite  announced  his  intention  of  bringing  forward  the 
motion  he  has  now  submitted  to  the  House,  I  ventured  to  express 
my  hope  that  the  government  had  well  considered  the  form  of  the 
motion  they  were  going  to  make,  so  that  there  might  be  nothing 
in  the  form  which  would  in  the  slightest  degree  interfere  with  the 
unanimity  desirable  on  such  an  occasion.  It  would  have  been  more 
satisfactory  to  me  if  the  noble  earl  had  entered  somewhat  upon  the 
consideration  of  the  question,  and  had  informed  your  lordships  upon 
what  grounds  he  proposed  so  unusual  a  course — though  arising,  I 
admit,  out  of  unusual,  if  not  unprecedented,  circumstances — as  that 
of  addressing  the  Crown,  and  praying  her  Majesty  to  convey  to  a 
foreign  government  the  sentiments  of  Parliament  with  regard  to 
the  event  which  has  taken  place.  For  myself,  I  confess  that  I  am 
rather  of  the  opinion  that  the  more  convenient  and — I  will  not  say 
the  more  usual,  but — the  more  regular  course  would  have  been  to 
have  simply  moved  a  resolution  of  this,  in  conjunction  with  the 
other  House  of  Parliament,  expressing  those  feelings  which  it  is 
proposed  by  the  motion  to  place  in  the  form  of  an  address  to  the 
Crown.  But  I  am  so  extremely  desirous  that  there  should  not 
appear  to  be  the  slightest  difference  of  opinion  at  this  moment, 
that  I  cannot  hesitate  to  give  my  assent  to  the  form  proposed  by 
the  government,  whatever  doubt  I  may  entertain  that  the  form  is 
the  most  convenient  which  might  have  been  adopted.  In  joining 
in  this  address — that  is  to  say,  in  expressing  our  sorrow  and  indig 
nation  at  the  atrocious  crime  by  which  the  United  States  have 
been  deprived  of  their  Chief  Magistrate — your  lordships  will  only 
follow  (though  the  event  has  been  known  so  short  a  time)  the  uni 
versal  feeling  of  sympathy  which  has  been  expressed  from  one  end 
of  this  kingdom  to  the  other.  And  if  there  be  in  the  United 
States  any  persons  who,  misled  by  our  having  abstained  from  ex 
pressing  any  opinion  as  to  the  conflict  now  going  on,  or  even  from 


EFFECT  OF  .THE  DEATH  TX  EUROPE.  257 

expressing  the  opinion  we  may  have  formed  upon  the  merits 
of  the  two  great  contending  parties — if  there  he  any  persons  who 
believe  that  there  is  a  generally  unfriendly  feeling  in  this  country 
towards  the  citizens  of  the  United  States,  I  think  they  could 
hardly  have  had  a  more  complete  refutation  of  that  opinion,  con 
veyed  in  what  I  hope  will  be  the  unanimous  declaration  of  Par 
liament,  following  the  declarations  which  her  Majesty  has  been 
pleased  to  make  both  publicly  and  privately  to  the  American 
Minister,  as  well  as  to  the  widow  of  President  Lincoln,  and  again 
following  the  voluntary  and  spontaneous  expression  of  opinion 
which  has  already  proceeded  from  almost  all  the  great  towns  and 
communities  of  this  country.  Whatever  other  misfortunes  may 
have  attended  this  atrocious  crime,  I  hope  that  at  least  one  good 
effect  may  have  resulted  from  it — namely,  that  the  manner  in  which 
the  news  has  been  received  in*  this  country  will  satisfy  the  people 
of  the  United  States  that  her  Majesty's  subjects,  one  and  all, 
deeply  condemn  the  crime  which  has  been  committed,  and  deeply 
sympathize  with  the  people  of  the  United  States  in  their  feelings 
of  horror  at  the  assassination  of  their  Chief  Magistrate.  For  the 
crime  itself  there  is  no  palliation  whatever  to  be  offered.  There 
may  be  a  difference  of  opinion  as  to  the  merits  of  the  two 
parties  who  are  contending,  the  one  for  empire,  the  other  for 
independence,  in  the  United  States — I  follow  the  words  of  the 
noble  earl  opposite ;  but  there  is,  there  can  be,  no  difference  of 
opinion  upon  this  point — that  the  holiest  and  the  purest  of  all 
causes  is  desecrated  and  disgraced  when  an  attempt  is  made  to 
promote  it  by  measures  so  infamous  as  this.  If  it  were  possible  to 
believe  that  the  Confederate  authorities  encouraged,  sympathized 
with,  or  even  did  not  express  their  abhorrence  of  this  crime,  I 
should  say  they  had  committed  that  which  was  worse  than  a  crime 
— a  gross  blunder ;  because,  in  the  face  of  the  civilized  world,  a 
cause  which  required  or  submitted  to  be  promoted  by  the  crime  of 
assassination,  would  lose  all  sympathy  and  kindly  feeling  on  the 
part  of  those  who  might  otherwise  be  well  disposed  towards  it. 
But  I  am  perfectly  satisfied — I  am  as  well  satisfied  as  I  can  be  of 
anything— that  this  detestable  act  of  assassination  is  so  entirely 
alien  to  the  whole  spirit  in  which  the  South  has  conducted  this 
war — is  so  alien  to  the  courageous,  manly,  and  at  the  same  time 
forbearing  course  which  they  have  adopted  in  the  struggle  for 
everything  that  is  dear  to  them,  that  I  am  convinced  that,  apart 
from  the  error  of  judgment  which  would  be  involved  in  sanction 
ing  such  a  crime,  they  cannot  have  been  guilty  of  so  great  a  blun 
der,  and  cannot  fail  to  express  for  it  their  detestation,  and  to  feel 

17 


258  LINCOLN  MEMORIAL. 

at  the  same  time  that  no  step  could  have  been  taken  which  couM 
have  inflicted  so  great  an  injury  on  their  own  cause.  I  will  not 
venture  to  follow  the  noble  earl  even  into  the  slight  discussion 
which  he  has  originated  with  regard  to  the  internal  politics  of  the 
United  States.  I  will  not  discuss  the  difficulty  which  at  the  present 
moment  is  felt  in  the  United  States— the  difficulty  caused  by 
slavery.  I  will  not  express  any  opinion  as  to  the  question  whether 
the  late  defeats,  serious  as  they  are,  and  apparently  fatal  to  the 
cause  of  the  South,  have  produced,  or  are  likely  to  lead  to,  an 
early  termination  of  the  war.  In  whatever  way  the  war  may  be 
terminated,  it  must  be  the  desire  of  every  friend  of  humanity  that 
it  should  be  terminated  soon  and  without  further  and  unnecessary 
effusion  of  blood.  But  I  join  entirely  with  the  noble  earl  in 
lamenting  the  loss  of  a  man  who  had  conducted  the  affairs  of  a 
great  nation,  under  circumstances  of  great  difficulty,  with  singular 
moderation  and  prudence,  and  who,  I  believe,  was  bent  upon  try 
ing  to  the  utmost  a  system  as  conciliatory  as  was  consistent  with 
the  prosecution  of  the  war  in  which  the  country  was  engaged. 
I  agree  that  the  death  of  such  a  man,  in  such  a  manner,  and  at 
such  a  time,  is  a  subject  not  only  for  deep  regret  and  for  abhorrence 
of  the  crime  by  which  he  was  deprived  of  life,  but  that  it  is  also  a 
serious  misfortune  in  the  present  condition  of  affairs,  for  the  State 
over  which  he  exercised  authority  and  for  the  prospects  of  an 
amicable  settlement.  I  can  only  hope  that,  notwithstanding  some 
ominous  expressions  which  have  already  fallen  from  him,  the  suc 
cessor  who  has  so  unexpectedly  been  elevated  to  the  high  position 
filled  by  Mr.  Lincoln  may  be  disposed  and  enabled  to  follow  the 
wise  and  conciliatory  course  which  I  believe,  in  the  prospect  of 
success,  Mr.  Lincoln  had  decided  upon  adopting.  I  am  not  insen 
sible  to  the  danger  that  public  exasperation  arising  out  of  this 
act  may  force  upon  the  government  a  less  conciliatory  and  more 
violent  course  than  that  which  Mr.  Lincoln  seemed  to  have  marked 
out  for  himself;  but  I  am  satisfied  that  the  adoption  of  such  a 
course  can  only  further  protract  the  horrors  of  this  civil  war,  add 
ing  to  the  other  motives  of  the  South  the  most  powerful  of  all 
motives — the  motive  of  despair — leading  the  South  to  fight  out 
this  question  to  the  bitter  end ;  so  that  while  the  one  side  is  exas 
perated  into  a  desire  to  exterminate  its  opponents,  they,  in  their 
despair,  will  be  ready  to  submit  to  extermination  rather  than 
accept  the  unreasonable  terms  of  the  North.  Thus  in  the  act 
itself,  in  the  circumstances  under  which  this  crime  has  been  com 
mitted,  and  in  the  fatal  influences  which  it  may  exercise  upon  the 
returning  prospects  of  peace  in  the  United  States,  we  must  find 


EFFECT  OF  THE  DEATH  IN  EUROPE.  259 

reasons  fo.r  deeply  lamenting  the  occurrence  which  has  taken  place ; 
and  I  am  quite  sure  that,  independently  of  all  political  motives,  but 
not  saying  that  political  motives  do  not  enter  into  our  views,  I  am 
expressing  the  universal  feeling  of  this  House  and  of  the  country, 
when  I  say  that  we  view  with  horror,  with  detestation,  and  with 
indignation,  the  atrocious  crime  by  which  the  life  of  the  President 
of  the  United  States  has  been  ended. 

The  House  of  Commons. — Remarks  of  Sir  6r.  Grey. 

In  the  House  of  Commons  on  the  same  day,  .Sir  G.  Grey  said — I 
very  much  regret  the  unavoidable  absence  of  my  noble  friend  at 
the  head  of  the  government,  in  whose  name  the  notice  was  given 
of  the  motion  which  it  now  devolves  upon  me  to  ask  the  House  to 
agree  to.  I  fuel,  however,  that  it  is  comparatively  unimportant  by 
whom  the  motion  is  proposed,  because  I  am  confident  that  the 
address  to  the  crown  which  I  am  about  to  ask  the  House  to  agree 
to  is  one  which  will  meet  with  the  cordial  and  unanimous  assent  of 
all.  When  the  news  a  few  days  ago  of  the  assassination  of  the 
President  of  the  United  States,  and  the  attempted  assassination — 
for  I  hope  that  we  may  now  confidently  expect  that  it  will  not  be 
a  successful  attempt — of  Mr.  Seward  reached  this  country,  the  first 
impression  in  the  mind  of  every  one  was  that  the  intelligence  could 
not  be  true.  It  was  hoped  by  every  one  that  persons  could  not  be 
found  capable  of  committing  a  crime  so  atrocious.  When  the 
truth  was  forced  upon  us,  when  we  could  no  longer  entertain  any 
doubt  as  to  the  correctness  of  the  intelligence,  the  feeling  which 
succeeded  was  one  of  universal  sorrow,  horror,  and  indignation. 
It  was  felt  as  if  some  great  calamity  had  befallen  ourselves ;  for  in 
the  civil  war,  the  existence  and  long  continuance  of  which  we  have 
so  sincerely  deplored,  it  is  well  known  that  the  government  of  this 
country,  acting,  as  I  believe,  in  accordance  with  the  almost  unani 
mous,  or  perhaps  I  may  say  in  accordance  with  the  unanimous  feel 
ing  of  this  country,  had  maintained  a  strict  and  impartial  neutra 
lity.  But  it  is  notorious,  and  it  could  not  in  a  great  country  like 
this  be  otherwise,  that  different  opinions  have  been  entertained  by 
different  persons  with  regard  to  the  questions  at  issue  between  the 
Northern  and  Southern  States  of  America ;  but  still  I  believe  -that 
the  sympathies  of  the  majority  of  the  people  of  this  country  have 
been  with  the  North.  I  am  desirous  on  this  occasion  of  avoiding 
everything  which  may  excite  any  difference  of  opinion.  I  may  say, 
therefore,  that  in  this  free  cquntry  different  opinions  have  been 
entertained  and  different  sympathies  felt,  and  that  in  this  free 
country  the  freest  expression  has  been  given,  as  should  be  the  case, 


260  LINCOLN  MEMORIAL. 

to  those  differences  of  opinion.  I  am  sure  that  I  shall  raise  no 
controversy  when  I  say  in  the  presence  of  that  great  crime  which 
has  sent  a  thrill  of  horror  through  every  one  who  heard  of  it,  all 
differences  of  opinion,  all  conflicting  sympathies  for  a  moment 
entirely  vanished.  I  am  anxious  to  say  at  once,  and  I  desire  to 
proclaim  the  belief  with  the  strongest  confidence,  that  this  atrocious 
crime  was  regarded  by  every  man  of  influence  and  power  in  the 
Southern  States  with  the  same  decree  of  horror  which  it  excited  in 
every  other  part  of  the  world.  We  mny,  therefore — and  this  is  all 
I  wish  to  say  upon  this  sulgect — whatever  our  opinions  with  re 
gard  to  the  past,  and  whatever  our  sympathies  may  have  been — 
we  shall  all  cordially  unite  in  expressing  our  abhorrence  of  that 
crime,  and  in  rendering  our  sympathy  to  that  nation  which  is  now 
mourning  the  loss  of  its  chosen  and  trustful  chief,  struck  to  the 
ground  by  the  hand  of  an  assassin,  and  that  too  at  the  most  critical 
period  of  its  history.  While  lamenting  that  war  and  the  loss  of 
life  which  it  has  inevitably  occasioned,  it  is  impossible,  whatever 
our  opinions  or  our  sympathies  may  have  been,  to  withhold  our 
admiration  from  the  many  gallant  deeds  performed  and  acts  of 
heroism  displayed  by  both  parties  in  the  contest ;  and  it  is  a  matter 
for  bitter  reflection  that  the  page  of  history,  recording  such  gallant 
achievements  and  such  heroic  deeds  by  men  who  so  freely  shed 
their  blood  on  the  battle-field  in  a  cause  which  each  considered 
right,  should  also  be  stained  with  the  record  of  a  crime  such  as  we 
are  now  deploring.  At  length  a  new  era  appeared  to  be  dawning 
on  the  contest  between  the  North  and  South.  The  time  had  come 
when  there  was  every  reason  to  hope  that  the  war  would  speedily 
be  brought  to  a  close.  Victory  had  crowned  the  efforts  of  the 
statesmen  and  the  armies  of  the  federals,  and  most  of  us — 
all  I  hope — had  turned  with  a  feeling  of  some  relief  and  some 
hope  for  the  future  from  the  record  of  sanguinary  conflicts  to 
that  correspondence  which  has  but  recently  passed  between  the 
generals  commanding  the  hostile  armies.  And  when  we  turned  to 
Mr.  President  Lincoln,  I  should  have  been  prepared  to  express  a 
hope,  indeed  an  expectation — and  I  have  reason  to  believe  that 
that  expectation  would  not  have  been  disappointed — that  in  the 
hour,  of  victory  and  in  the  use  of  victory  he  would  have  shown  a 
wise  forbearance,  a  generous  consideration,  which  would  have 
added  tenfold  lustre  to  the  fame  and  reputation  which  he  has 
acquired  throughout  the  misfortunes  of  this  war.  Unhappily 
the  foul  deed  which  has  taken  place  has  deprived  Mr.  Lincoln  of 
the  opportunity  of  thus  adding  to  nis  well  earned  fame  and  repu 
tation ;  but  let  us  hope,  what  indeed  we  may  repeat,  that  the  good 


EFFECT  OF  THE  DEATH  IX  EUROPE.  261 

sense  and  right  feeling  of  those  upon  whom  will  devolve  the  most 
arduous  and  difficult  duties  in  this  conjuncture  will  lead  them  to 
respect  the  wishes  and  the  memory  of  him  whom  we  are  all  mourn 
ing;  and  will  lead  them  to  act  in  the  same  spirit  and  to  follow  the 
same  counsels  by  which  we  have  good  reason  to  believe  the  conduct 
of  Mr.  Lincoln  would  have  been  marked,  had  he  survived  to  com 
plete  the  work  that  was  entrusted  to  him.  I  am  only  speaking  the 
general  opinion  when  I  say  that  nothing  could  give  greater  satis 
faction  to  this  country  than  by  means  of  forbearance,  it  may  be  of 
temperate  conciliation,  to  .see  the  union  of  the  North  and  South 
again  accomplished,  especially  if  it  can  be  accomplished  by  common 
consent,  freed  from  what  hitherto  constituted  the  weakness  of  that 
Union — the  curse  and  disgrace  of  slavery.  I  wish  it  were  possible 
for  us  to  convey  to  the  people  of  the  United  States  an  adequate  idea 
of  the  depth  and  universality  of  the  feeling  which  this  sad  event 
has  occasioned  in  this  country,  that  from  the  highest  to  the  lowest 
there  has  been  but  one  feeling  entertained.  Her  Majesty's  Minister 
at  Washington  will,  in  obedience  to  the  Queen's  command,  convey 
to  the  government  of  the  United  States  the  expression  of  the 
feelings  of  her  Majesty  and  of  her  government  upon  the  deplorable 
event;  and  her  Majesty,  with  that  tender  consideration  which  she 
has  always  evinced  for  sorrow  and  suffering  in  others,  of  whatever 
rank,  has  with  her  own  hand  written  a  letter  to  Mrs.  Lincoln,  con 
veying  the  heartfelt  sympathy  of  a  widow  to  a  widow  suffering 
under  the  calamity  of  having  lost .  one  suddenly  cut  off.  From 
every  part  of  this  country,  from  every  class,  but  one  voice  has 
been  heard — one  of  abhorrence  for  the  crime  and  of  sympathy  for 
and  interest  in  the  country  which  has  this  great  loss  to  mourn. 
The  British  residents  in  the  United  States,  as  of  course  was  to  be 
expected,  lost  not  an  hour  in  expressing  their  sympathy  with  the 
government  of  the  United  States.  The  people  of  our  North 
American  colonies  are  vieing  with  each  other  in  expressing  the 
same  sentiments.  And  it  is  not  only  among  men  of  the  same  race 
who  are  connected  with  the  people  of  the  United  States  by  origin, 
language,  and  blood,  that  these  feelings  prevail,  but  I  believe  that 
every  country  in  Europe  is  giving  expression  to  the  same  sentiments 
and  is  sending  the  message  to  the  government  of  the  United  States. 
I  am  sure,  therefore,  that  I  am  not  wrong  in  anticipating  that 
this  House  will,  in  the  name  of  the  people  of  England,  of  Scotland, 
and  of  Ireland,  be  anxious  to  record  their  expression  of  the  same 
sentiment,  and  to  have  it  conveyed  to  the  government  of  the 
United  States.  Of  this  I  am  confident ;  that  this  House  could 
never  more  fully  and  more  adequately  represent  the  feelings  of  the 


262  LINCOLN  MEMORIAL. 

whole  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  United  Kingdom  than  by  agree 
ing  to  the  address  which  it  is  now  my  duty  to  move,  expressing  to 
her  Majesty  our  sorrow  and  indignation  at  the  assassination  of  the 
President  of  the  United  States,  and  praying  her  Majesty  that,  in 
communicating  her  own  sentiments  to  the  government  of  that 
country  upon  the  deplorable  event,  she  will  express  at  the  same 
time,  on  the  part  of  this  House,  their  abhorrence  of  the  crime  and 
their  sympathy  with  the  government  and  people  of  the  Uni 
ted  States  in  the  deep  affliction  into  which  they  have  been 
thrown. 

FRANCE. 

In  Paris  on  the  very  day  the  terrible  news  was  received  M. 
Drouyn  de  Lhuys,  Minister  of  Foreign  Aifairs,  despatched  a  letter 
to  Mr.  Bigelow  expressive  of  his  sorrow,  and  immediately  upon  the 
return  of  our  Minister  from  Brest  (whither  he  had  gone  to  partici 
pate  in  the  ceremony  of  the  opening  of  a  new  line  of  railway)  he 
was  waited  upon  by  an  aide-de-camp  of  the  Emperor,  who  expressed 
to  him  the  personal  regrets  of  his  Majesty  at  the  severe  loss  to  the 
nation  and  his  horror  of  the  crime.  On  Mr.  Bigelow's  return  he 
was  overwhelmed  with  letters  of  condolence  from  all  parts  of 
Europe.  He  at  once  received  calls  from  M.  Gamier  Pages  and 
several  members  of  the  opposition  in  the  Corps  Legislatif,  as  well 
as  from  a  considerable  number  of  literary  men  and  others  who 
have  always  sympathized  with  our  cause.  A  large  number  also 
called  at  the  Consulate,  and,  in  accordance  with  the  custom  here, 
subscribed  their  names  in  token  of  condolence. 

One  of  the  most  remarkable  and  noteworthy  demonstrations  was 
that  made  by  the  Jeunesse  cTJScoles — the  students  of  the  Latin 
quarter.  Nearly  a  thousand  of  these  young  men  formed  in  pro 
cession  for  the  purpose  of  proceeding  to  the  American  Minister's 
to  present  to  him  an  appropriate  address. 

Solemn  services  were  also  held  at  the  American  Episcopal  Chapel, 
which  were  attended  by  a  large  assemblage  of  French  and  Ameri 
cans. 

The  Princess  Murat,  who  is  an  American  lady,  was  present,  as 
were  also  General  Franconniere  and  the  Prince  Napoleon,  M.  Ber- 
ryer,  Jules  Favre,  Ernest  Picard,  Eugene  Pelletan,  Prevost  Paradol, 
and  a  considerable  number  of  literary  men. 

Henry  Martin,  the  Historian,  thus  wrote  in  one  of  the  Parisian 
journals : 


EFFECT  OF  THE  DEATH  IN  EUROPE.  263 

A   GREAT    MARTYR    OF    DEMOCRACY. 

Slavery,  before  expiring,  has  gathered  up  the  remnants  of  its 
strength  and  rage  to  strike  a  coward  blow  at  its  conqueror. 

The  Satanic  pride  of  that  perverted  society  could  not  resign 
itself  to  defeat ;  it  did  not  care  to  fall  with  honor,  as  all  causes  fall 
which  are  destined  to  rise  again ;  it  dies  as  it  has  lived,  violating 
all  laws,  divine  and  human. 

In  this  we  have  the  spirit  and  perhaps  the  work  of  that  famous 
secret  association,  "the  Golden  Circle,"  which,  after  preparing 
the  great  rebellion  for  twenty  years,  and  spreading  its  accomplices 
throughout  the  Wekt  and  North,  around  the  seat  of  the  presidency, 
gave  the  signal  for  this  impious  war  on  the  day  when  the  public 
conscience  finally  snatched  from  the  slaveholders  the  government 
of  the  United  States. 

The  day  on  which  the  excellent  man  whom  they  have  just  made 
a  martyr  was  raised  to  power  they  appealed  to  force,  to  realize 
what  treason  had  prepared. 

They  have  failed.  They  did  not  succeed  in  overthrowing  Lin 
coln  from  power  by  war ;  they  have  done  so  by  assassination. 

The  plot  appears  to  have  been  well  arranged.  By  striking  down 
with  the  President  his  two  principal  ministers,  one  of  whom  they 
reached,  and  the  General-in-Chief,  who  was  saved  by  an  accidental 
occurrence,  the  murderers  expected  to  disorganize  the  government 
of  the  republic  and  give  fresh  life  to  the  rebellion. 

Their  hopes  will  be  frustrated.  These  sanguinary  fanatics,  whose 
cause  has  fallen  not  so  much  by  the  material  superiority  as  the 
moral  power  of  democracy,  have  become  incapable  of  understand 
ing  the  effects  of  the  free  institutions  which  their  fathers  gloriously 
aided  in  establishing.  A  fresh  illustration  will  be  seen  of  what 
those  institutions  can  produce. 

The  indignation  of  the  people  will  not  exhaust  itself  in  a  momen 
tary  outburst ;  it  will  concentrate  and  embody  itself  in  the  unani 
mous,  persevering,  invincible  action  of  the  universal  will ;  whoever 
may  be  the  agents,  the  instruments  of  the  work,  that  work,  we 
may  rest  assured,  will  be  finished.  The  event  will  show  that  it  did 
not  depend  upon  the  life  of  one  man,  or  of  several  men. 

The  work  will  be  completed  after  Lincoln,  as  if  finished  by  him; 
but  Lincoln  will  remain  the  austere  and  sacred  personification  of  a 
great  epoch,  the  most  faithful  expression  of  democracy. 

This  simple  and  upright  man,  prudent  and  strong,  elevated  step 
by  step  from  the  artisan's  bench  to  the  command  of  a  great  nation, 
and  always  without  parade  and  without  effort  at  the  height  of  his 


264  LINCOLN  MEMORIAL. 

position,  executing  without  precipitation,  without  flourish  and  with 
invincible  good  sense,  the  most  colossal  acts,  giving  to  the  world 
this  decisive  example  of  the  civil  power  in  a  republic,  directing  a 
gigantic  war  without  free  institutions  being  for  an  instant  com 
promised  or  threatened  by  military  usurpation,  dying  finally  at  the 
moment  in  which,  after  conquering,  he  was  intent  on  pacification — 
and  may  God  grant  that  the  atrocious  madmen  who  killed  him 
have  not  killed  clemency  with  him,  and  determined  instead  of  the 
peace  he  wished,  pacification  by  force — this  man  will  stand  out  in 
the  traditions  of  his  country  and  the  world  as  an  incarnation  of  the 
people,  and  of  modern  democracy  itself. 

The  great  work  of  emancipation  had  to  be  sealed,  therefore,  with 
the  blood  of  the  just,  even  as  it  was  inaugurated  with  the  blood  of 
the  just.  The  tragic  history  of  the  abolition  of  slavery  which 
opened  with  the  gibbet  of  John  Brown  will  close  with  the  assassi 
nation  of  Lincoln. 

And  now  let  him  rest  by  the  side  of  Washington,  as  the  second 
founder  of  the  great  republic.  European  democracy  is  present  in 
spirit  at  his  funeral,  as  it  voted  in  its  heart  for  his  re-election,  and 
applauded  the  victory  in  the  midst  of  which  he  passes  away.  It 
will  wish  with  one  accord  to  associate  itself  with  the  monument 
that  America  will  raise  to  him  upon  the  capital  of  prostrate 
slavery. 

In  the  Corps  Legislatif,  soon  after  the  opening  of  that  body,  M. 
Rouher,  Minister  of  State,  rose  and  said : 

An  odious  crime  has  plunged  in  mourning  a  people  which  is 
our  ally  and  our  friend.  The  report  of  this  crime  has  produced 
throughout  the  civilized  world  a  sentiment  of  indignation  and  of 
horror.  Abraham  Lincoln  had  exhibited  in  the  sad  struggle  which 
rends  his  country  that  calm  firmness  and  indomitable  energy  which 
belong  to  strong  minds  and  are  the  necessary  conditions  of  the 
accomplishment  of  great  duties.  In  the  hours  of  victory  he  exhi 
bited  generosity,  moderation,  and  conciliation.  He  hastened  to  put 
an  end  to  war  and  to  restore  peace — America  to  her  splendor  and 
prosperity.  The  first  punishment  which  God  inflicts  upon  crime  is 
to  render  it  powerless  to  retard  the  march  of  right.  The  profound 
emotion  and  the  deep  sympathy  manifested  in  Europe  will  be 
received  by  the  American  people  as  a  consolation  and  encourage 
ment.  The  work  of  peace,  commenced  by  a  grand  citizen,  will  be 
completed  by  the  national  will.  The  government  of  the  Emperor 
has  caused  to  be  sent  to  Washington  the  expression  of  a  legitimate 
homage  to  the  memory  of  an  illustrious  statesman,  torn  from  the 


EFFECT  OF  THE  DEATH  IN  EUROPE.  9(35 

government  of  the  United  States  by  an  execrable  assassination. 
By  order  of  the  Euiperor,  I  have  the  honor  to  communicate  to  the 
Corps  Legislatif  the  despatch  sent  by  the  Minister  of  Foreign 
Affairs  to  our  representative  at  Washington.  It  is  conceived  as 
follows : 

MINISTRY  OF  FOREIGN  AFFAIRS,  ) 
PARIS,  April  28,  1865.       J 

The  news  of  the  crime  of  which  President  Lincoln  has  fallen 
a  victim  has  caused  a  profound  sentiment  of  indignation  in  the 
imperial  government.  His  Majesty  immediately  charged  one  of 
his  aides-de-camp  to  call  upon  the  Minister  of  the  United  States 
to  request  him  to  transmit  the  expression  of  this  sentiment  to  Mr. 
Johnson,  now  invested  with  the  Presidency.  I  myself  desired  by 
the  despatch  which  I  addressed  you,  under  date  of  yesterday, 
to  acquaint  you,  without  delay,  of  the  painful  emotion  which  we 
have  experienced ;  and  it  becomes  my  duty  to-day,  in  conformity 
with  the  views  of  the  Emperor,  to  render  a  merited  homage  to 
the  great  citizen  whose  loss  the  United  States  now  deplore. 

Elevated  to  the  Chief  Magistracy  of  the  republic  by  the  suffrage 
of  his  country,  Abraham  Lincoln  exhibited  in  the  exercise  of  the 
power  placed  in  his  hands  the  most  substantial  qualities.  In  him 
firmness  of  character  was  allied  with  elevation  of  principle,  and  his 
vigorous  soul  never  wavered  before  the  redoubtable  trials  reserved 
for  his  government.  At  the  moment  when  an  atrocious  crime 
removed  him  from  the  mission  which  he  fulfilled  with  a  religious 
sentiment  of  duty,  he  was  convinced  that  the  triumph  of  his  policy 
was  definitely  assured.  His  recent  proclamations  are  stamped 
with  the  sentiments  of  moderation  with  which  he  was  inspired  in 
resolutely  proceeding  to  the  task  of  reorganizing  the  Union  and 
consolidating  peace.  The  supreme  satisfaction  of  accomplishing 
this  work  has  not  been  accorded  him ;  but  in  reviewing  these  last 
testimonies  to  his  exalted  wisdom,  as  well  as  the  examples  of  good 
sense,  of  courage,  and  of  patriotism  which  he  has  given,  history 
will  not  hesitate  to  place  him  in  the  rank  of  citizens  who  have  the 
most  honored  their  country.  By  order  of  the  Emperor,  I  transmit 
this  despatch  to  the  Minister  of  State,  who  is  charged  to  com 
municate  it  to  the  Senate  and  the  Corps  Legislatif.  France  will 
unanimously  associate  itself  with  the  sentiment  of  his  Majesty. 
Receive,  &c.,  &c.,  DROTJYN  DE  LHUYS, 

M.  DE  GEOFRY,  Charge  d' Affaires  de  France  a  Washington. 

After  the  reading  of  the  despatch,  which  was  received  with 
unanimous  marks  of  approbation,  M.  Rouher  continued : 


266  LINCOLN  MEMORIAL. 

This  despatch  needs  no  commentary.  The  Emperor,  all  France, 
are  unanimous  in  their  sentiments  of  condemnation  of  a  detestable 
crime,  in  their  respect  for  a  grand  political  character,  now  a  victim 
of  the  worst  criminal  passions,  in  their  ardent  wishes  for  the  re- 
establishment  of  harmony  and  concord  in  the  grand  and  patriotic 
American  nation. 

M.  Schneider,  President  of  the  Corps  Legislatif,  said : 

GENTLEMEN — I  desire  to  be  the  interpreter  of  your  sentiments 
in  publicly  expressing  the  sorrow  and  true  indignation  which  we 
have  all  felt  at  the  news  of  the  bloody  death  of  President  Lincoln. 
This  execrable  crime  has  revolted  all  that  was  noble  in  the  heart 
of  France.  Nowhere  has  the  emotion  been  more  profound  and 
universal  than  in  our  country.  We  also  desire  unqualifiedly  to 
unite  our  sentiments  with  the  sympathies  which  have  been  mani 
fested  by  the  government.  Called  to  the  direction  of  affairs  in  an 
ever  memorable  crisis,  Abraham  Lincoln  showed  himself  equal  to 
his  difficult  mission.  After  displaying  unshaken  firmness  in  the 
struggle,  it  seemed  that  he  would,  by  the  wisdom  of  his  language 
and  his  views,  soon  bring  about  a  happy  and  durable  reconciliation 
among  the  people  of  the  country.  His  last  acts  are  the  crowning 
ones  of  the  life  of  an  honest  man  and  good  citizen.  Let  us  hope 
that  his  wishes  and  his  sentiments  will  survive  him  and  inspire  the 
American  people  with  pacific  and  generous  resolutions.  France 
has  herself  trembled  at  these  bloody  struggles  which  have  afflicted 
humanity  and  civilization.  She  ardently  desires  the  re-establish 
ment  of  peace  in  the  midst  of  that  great  nation,  her  ally  and  her 
friend.  May  our  prayers  be  heard,  and  may  Providence  put  an 
end  to  these  sad  trials.  The  Corps  Legislatif  will  acknowledge 
to  the  government  the  receipt  of  the  communication  which  it 
has  just  made  it,  and  will  ask  that  an  extract  of  the  proces-verbal 
of  this  session  shall  be  officially  addressed  to  the  Minister  of 
State. 

No  further  remarks  were  made  upon  the  communication. 

In  the  Senate  the  same  communication  was  presented,  and  the 
following  remarks  made  by  the  President : — 

GENTLEMEN — In  receiving  this  communication  from  the  Minister, 
I  ask  the  Senate  to  permit  me  to  express,  in  its  name,  a  sentiment 
which,  by  its  unanimity  and  its  energy,  will  be  received  by  every 
heart.  The  Senate  has  experienced  a  profound  emotion  at  the  re 
port  of  the  crime  committed  upon  the  illustrious  chief  of  a  friendly 
nation.  Mr.  Lincoln,  placed  since  1861  at  the  head  of  the  Ameri 
can  nation,  had  passed  through  the  saddest  trial  which  a  govern 
ment  founded  upon  liberty  could  have  encountered.  It  was  at  the 


EFFECT  OF  THE  DEATH  IN  EUROPE.  267 

moment  when  victory  offered  itself  to  him — not  as  a  sign  of  con 
quest,  but  as  a  time  for  reconciliation — when  a  crime,  still  obscure 
in  its  causes,  has  destroyed  the  existence  of  this  citizen  elected  to 
so  high  a  position  by  the  choice  of  his  fellow-countrymen.  Mr. 
Lincoln  fell  when  he  thought  he  had  reached  the  end  of  the  evils 
through  which  his  country  had  passed,  and  while  nourishing  the 
patriotic  hope  of  soon  seeing  it  reconstituted  and  flourishing. 
The  Senate,  which  has  always  deplored  this  civil  war,  detests  with 
stronger  reason  those  implacable  hatreds  which  are  its  fruit,  and 
which  produce  a  bloody  policy  of  assassination.  There  is  in  this 
body  but  one  voice  to  unite  itself  with  the  sentiment  expressed  by 
order  of  the  Emperor,  in  the  name  of  a  policy  generous  and  humane." 

ITALY. 

The  Italian  Chamber  of  Deputies  was  draped  in  black  on  the 
27th,  and  continued  so  for  the  three  following  days,  in  mourning 
for  Abraham  Lincoln.  The  Minister  of  Finance  moved,  and  the 
Chamber  agreed,  to  send  this  address  to  the  American  Congress 
expressing  the  grief  of  the  country  and  the  House  at  Mr.  Lincoln's 
assassination. 

To  THE  PRESIDENT  OP  THE  CONGRESS  OP  REPRESENTATIVES  OP  THE  UNITED  STATES 
OF  AMERICA: 

HON.  SIR  : — The  intelligence  of  the  assassination  of  President 
Lincoln  has  moved  and  profoundly  grieved  the  deputies  of  the 
Italian  Parliament.  From  all  the  political  factions  of  which  this 
Chamber  is  composed  one  unanimous  cry  has  arisen  denouncing 
the  detestable  crime  that  has  been  committed,  and  conveying  the 
expression  of  deep  regret  and  sympathy  for  the  illustrious  victim 
and  the  free  people  whose  worthy  ruler  he  was.  This  Chamber 
has  unanimously  resolved  to  cover  its  flag  with  crape  for  the  space 
of  three  days,  in  token  of  mourning,  and  has  charged  me  to  notify 
you  in  a  special  message  its  grief,  which  is  also  that  of  Italy,  and 
of  all  friends  of  liberty  and  civilization.  The  news  of  the  attempt 
made  to  assassinate  Mr.  Seward  has  inspired  the  Chamber  with 
like  sentiments.  In  readily,  though  sadly,  fulfilling  the  mission 
with  which  I  have  been  charged,  I  beg  you  will  accept,  Hon.  Sir, 
the  assurance  of  my  sympathy  and  consideration.  CASSINIS, 

President  of  the  Chamber  of  Deputies. 

BELGIUM. 

The  King  of  the  Belgians  charged  one  of  his  aides-de-camp 
to  visit  Mr.  Sanford,  and  express  the  feelings  his  Majesty 
experienced  at  the  attacks  made  upon  the  President  and  Minister 


268  LINCOLN  MEMORIAL. 

for  Foreign  Affairs  of  the  United  States.  The  Count  of  Flanders 
also  sent  one  of  his  orderly  officers  to  the  American  Minister  for 
the  same  purpose.  The  Minister  for  Foreign  Affairs  and  the  other 
members  of  the  Cabinet  have  also  lost  no  time  in  paying  their 
respects  to  Mr.  Sanford,  and  instructions  have  been  forwarded  to 
the  Belgian  Legation  at  Washington  to  express  to  the  American 
Government  the  sentiments  of  regret  and  reprobation  excited  by 
such  disgraceful  acts.  At  Saturday's  sitting  of  the  Chamber  of 
Deputies  M.  le  Hardy  de  Beaulieu  stated,  in  the  most  sympathizing 
terms,  the  emotion  produced  in  Belgium  by  the  news  of  the  tragic 
event,  and  recalled  all  the  claims  of  President  Lincoln  to  general 
consideration.  M.  de  Haerne  spoke  in  the  same  sense  with  much 
feeling.  The  Minister  for  Foreign  Affairs  said  that  the  govern 
ment  fully  agreed  with  the  sentiments  which  had  just  been  ex 
pressed,  and  that  it  had  already  conveyed  its  opinion  to  the  govern 
ment  of  the  United  States  and  their  representatives  at  Brussels. 
He  added  his  sincerest  good  wishes  for  the  recovery  of  Mr. 
Seward,  whose  life  he  considered  highly  important  for  the  defini 
tive  pacification  of  the  country  so  long  desolated  by  the  war,  and 
whose  prosperity  was  earnestly  desired  by  all  the  friends  of  liberty. 

PRUSSIA. 

The  death  of  Mr.  Lincoln  was  received  with  great  concern 
in  this  country,  and  Heir  Loewe,  himself  an  old  American,  and 
now  one  of  the  most  active  and  influential  members  of  the  Lower 
House,  rose  at  the  first  sitting  to  devote  a  few  solemn  and 
admiring  words  to  the  memory  of  the  deceased  republican  states 
man: 

"Gentlemen,"  he  said,  "permit  me  to  request  your  attention  to  a 
subject  which,  though  not  coming  within  the  limits  of  our  imme 
diate  task,  is  yet  one  of  the  gravest  interest  to  us,  and,  indeed,  the 
world  at  large.  Many  of  the  honorable  members  have  felt  it  a 
duty,  on  the  occasion  of  the  untimely  death  of  Mr.  Lincoln,  to  give 
expression  to  their  sincere  sympathy  with  the  nation  who  now 
mourn  his  loss.  Abraham  Lincoln  has  been  taken  away  in  the 
hour  of  triumph.  I  trust  that  the  task  he  so  faithfully  conducted 
in  the  service  of  a  great  and  glorious  people  will  be  completed  by 
his  successor ;  and  while  I  cannot  but  congratulate  myself  on  the 
earnest  and  most  effective  support  he  received  from  so  many  of  our 
countrymen  on  the  other  side  of  the  ocean,  I  wish  to  assure  the 
German  Americans,  as  well  as  the  Americans  generally,  that  we 
glory  in  their  glories  and  sorrow  in  their  sorrows.  It  was  the 
banner  of  freedom  he  carried  aloft ;  and  if,  while  transacting  vie- 


EFFECT  OF  THE  DEATH  IN  EUROPE.  269 

toriously  the  most  important  business  of  one  of  the  greatest  nations 
of  the  earth,  he  remained  a  simple,  modest,  and  unpretending  man, 
nevertheless  he  will  be  all  the  dearer  to  the  German  heart  for  per 
forming  his  duty  without  pomp  or  ceremony,  and  relying  on  that 
dignity  of  his  inner  self  alone,  which  is  far  above  rank,  orders,  and 
titles.  I  have  drawn  up  an  address  expressive  of  these  sentiments, 
which  will  be  presented  to  Mr.  Judd,  the  American  Minister  at 
this  capital.  As  it  might  be  contrary  to  rules  to  move  for  the 
House  entering  into  communication  with  a  foreign  diplomatist,  I 
invite  such  of  you  as  are  disposed  to  share  in  our  condolences  to 
send  in  your  signatures  privately,  and  pay  your  respect  to  the 
deceased,  who  was  a  faithful  servant  no  less  of  his  commonwealth 
than  of  civilization,  of  freedom  and  humanity." 

At  the  close  of  the  speech  the  House  rose  in  token  of  respectful 
assent.  The  conservatives  alone  and  a  few  ultramontanes  kept 
their  seats :  but  these,  too,  declared,  through  the  mouths  of  some 
of  their  leaders,  that  they  shared  the  horror  and  indignation  of 
the  other  parties,  and  that  they  would  have  supported  the  preced 
ing  speaker  in  giving  utterance  to  a  feeling  which  was  a  common 
one  all  over  the  civilized  world,  had  not  his  condolence  been  mixed 
up  with  politics. 

The  address  to  Mr.  Judd,  which  was  signed  by  a  vast  majority 
of  members,  runs  to  the  following  effect : — 

"  SIR — We,  the  undersigned,  members  of  the  Prussian  House  of 
Deputies,  pray  your  acceptance  of  our  heartfelt  condolence  on  the 
heavy  loss  the  government  and  people  of  the  United  States  have 
suffered  by  the  death  of  the  late  President  Lincoln.  We  turn  hi 
horror  from  the  crime  to  which  he  has  fallen  a  victim,  and  we  are 
the  more  deeply  moved  by  this  public  affliction,  inasmuch  as  it  has 
occurred  at  a  moment  when  we  were  rejoicing  at  the  triumph  of 
the  United  States,  and  as  it  was  accompanied  by  an  attempt  upon 
the  life  of  Mr.  Seward,  the  faithful  associate  of  his  labors,  who, 
with  so  much  wisdom  and  resolve,  aided  Mr.  Lincoln  in  the  ful 
filment  of  his  arduous  task.  By  the  simultaneous  death  of  these 
great  and  good  men,  the  people  of  the  United  States  were  to  be 
deprived  of  the  fruits  of  their  protracted  struggle  and  patriotic 
devotion  at  the  very  moment  when  the  triumph  of  right  and  law 
promised  to  bring  back  the  blessings  of  a  long  desired  peace. 

"  Sir,  you  have  been  staying  among  us  a  living  witness  of  the 
deep  and  earnest  sympathy  which  the  people  of  Germany,  during 
a  long  and  serious  war,  have  entertained  for  the  United  States. 
You  are  aware  that  Germany  has  looked  with  feelings  of  pride 


270  LINCOLN  MEMORIAL. 

and  joy  at  the  thousands  of  her  sons  so  resolutely  aiding  with  law 
and  right  in  this  your  war.  You  have  seen  our  joy  on  receiving 
good  tidings  from  the  United  States,  and  know  the  confidence 
with  which  we  ever  looked  forward  to  the  victory  of  your  cause, 
and  the  reconstruction  of  the  Union  in  all  its  ancient  might  and 
splendor.  The  grand  work  of  reconstruction  will,  we  trust,  be 
not  delayed  by  this  terrible  crime.  The  blood  of  the  great  and 
wise  chieftain  will  only  serve  to  cement  the  Union  for  which  he 
died.  To  us  this  is  guaranteed  by  the  respect  of  the  law  and  the 
love  of  liberty  which  the  people  of  the  United  States  evinced  in 
the  very  midst  of  this  tremendous  contest. 

"  4We  request  your  good  offices  for  giving  expression  to  our  con 
dolences  and  our  sympathies  with  the  people  and  government  of 
the  United  States,  and  communicating  this  address  to  the  Cabinet 
you  represent. 

"  Receive,  <fcc., 

"THE  MEMBERS  OF  THE  HOUSE  or  DEPUTIES. 

"BERLIN,  April  28,  1865." 

The  address  was  immediately  signed  by  deputies  of  the  House. 

A  solemn  service,  in  the  German  and  English  languages,  was 
performed  on  May  2,  in  the  Dorothea  church,  Berlin,  in  memory 
of  President  Lincoln.  Numerous  deputations  were  present.  Herr 
Von  Bismark  attended,  and  the  King  was  represented  by  his 
aides-de-camp.  The  church  was  crowded. 


IX. 
POEMS. 


IX. 

POEMS. 

ABRAHAM  LINCOLN— AN  HORATIAN  ODE. 

BY   RICHARD    HENRY   STODDARD. 

Not  as  when  some  great  Captain  falls 
In  battle,  where  his  Country  calls, 

Beyond  the  struggling  lines 

That  push  his  dread  designs 

To  doom,  by  some  stray  ball  struck  dead : 
Or,  in  the  last  charge,  at  the  head 

Of  his  determined  men, 

Who  must  be  victors  then ! 

Nor  as  when  sink  the  civic  Great, 
The  safer  pillars  of  the  State, 

Whose  calm,  mature,  wise  words 

Suppress  the  need  of  swords  ! — 

With  no  such  tears  as  e'er  were  shed 
Above  the  noblest  of  our  Dead 

Do  we  to-day  deplore 

The  Man  that  is  no  more  ! 

Our  sorrow  hath  a  wider  scope, 

Too  strange  for  fear,  too  vast  for  hope,— 

A  Wonder,  blind  and  dumb, 

That  waits — what  is  to  come  ! 

Not  more  astounded  had  we  been 
If  Madness,  that  dark  night,  unseen, 

Had  in  our  chambers  crept, 

And  murdered  while  we  slept ! 

We  woke  to  find  a  mourning  Earth — 
Our  Lares  shivered  on  the  hearth, — 

The  roof-tree  fallen,— all 

That  could  affright,  appall  ! 
18 


274  LINCOLN  MEMORIAL. 

Such  thunderbolts,  in  other  lands, 
Have  smitten  the  rod  from  royal  hands, 
But  spared,  with  us,  till  now, 
Each  laurelled  Cesar's  brow  ! 

No  Cesar  he,  whom  we  lament, 
A  Man  without  a  precedent, 

Sent,  it  would  seem,  to  do 

His  work — and  perish  too ! 

Not  by  the  weary  cares  of  State, 
The  endless  tasks,  which  will  not  wait. 

Which,  often  done  in  vain, 

Must  yet  be  done  again : 

Not  in  the  dark,  wild  tide  of  War, 
Which  rose  so  high,  and  rolled  so  far, 
•     Sweeping  from  sea  to  sea 
In  awful  anarchy  : — 

Four  fateful  years  of  mortal  strife, 
Which  slowly  drained  the  Nation's  life, 
(Yet,  for  each  drop  that  ran 
There  sprang  an  armed  man !) 

Not  then; — but  when  by  measures  meet, — 

By  victory,  and  by  defeat — 
By  courage,  patience,  skill, 
The  People's  fixed  "  We  will!" 

Had  pierced,  had  crushed  Rebellion  dead,— 
Without  a  Hand,  without  a  Head ; — ' 

At  last,  when  all  was  well, 

He  fell— O,  how  he  fell ! 

The  time, — the  place, — the  stealing  Shape, — 
The  coward  shot, — the  swift  escape, — 

The  wife — the  widow's  scream, — 

It  is  a  hideous  Dream ! 

A  Dream  ? — what  means  this  pageant,  then  ? 

These  multitudes  of  solemn  men, 

Who  speak  not  when  they  meet, 
But  throng  the  silent  street  ? 


LINCOLN  MEMORIAL.  275 

The  flags  half-mast,  that  late  so  high 
Flaunted  at  each  new  victory  ? 

(The  stars  no  brightness  shed, 

But  bloody  looks  the  red  !) 

The  black  festoons  that  stretch  for  miles, 
And  turn  the  streets  to  funeral  aisles  ? 

(No  house  too  poor  to  show 

The  Nation's  badge  of  woe  !) 

The  cannon's  sudden,  sullen  boom, — 
The  bells  that  toll  of  death  and  doom, — 

The  rolling  of  the  drums, — 

The  dreadful  Car  that  comes  ? 

Cursed  be  the  hand  that  fired  the  shot ! 
The  frenzied  brain  that  hatched  the  plot : 

Thy  Country's  Father  slain 

By  thee,  thou  worse  than  Cain  ! 

Tyrants  have  fallen  by  such  as  thou, 
And  Good  hath  followed — May  it  now! 

(God  lets  bad  instruments 

Produce  the  best  events.) 

But  he,  the  Man  we  mourn  to-day, 
No  tyrant  was ;  so  mild  a  sway 

In  one  such  weight  who  bore; 

Was  never  known  before ! 

Cool  should  he  be,  of  balanced  powers, 
The  Ruler  of  a  Race  like  ours, 

Impatient,  headstrong,  wild, — 

The  Man  to  guide  the  Child  ! 

And  this  he  was,  who  most  unfit 
(So  hard  the  sense  of  God  to  hit!) 

Did  seem  to  fill  his  Place. 

With  such  a  homely  face, — 

Such  rustic  manners — speech  uncouth — 
(That  somehow  blundered  out  the  Truth  !) 

Untried,  untrained  to  bear, 

The  more  than  kingly  Care  ? 


LINCOLN  MEMORIAL. 

Ay !     And  his  genius  put  to  scorn 

The  proudest  in  the  purple  born, 
Whose  wisdom  never  grew 
To  what,  untaught,  he  knew — 

The  People,  of  whom  he  was  one. 

No  gentleman  like  Washington,— 

(Whose  bones,  methinks,  make  room, 
To  have  him  in  their  tomb !) 

A  laboring  man,  with  horny  hands, 
Who  swung  the  axe,  who  tilled  his  lands, 

Who  shrank  from  nothing  new, 

But  did  as  poor  men  do ! 

One  of  the  People !     Born  to  be 

Their  curious  Epitome ; 

To  share,  yet  rise  above 
Their  shifting  hate  and  love. 

Common  his  mind  (it  seemed  so  then), 
His  thoughts  the  thoughts  of  other  men  ; 

Plain  were  his  words,  and  poor — 

But  now  they  will  endure ! 

No  hasty  fool,  of  stubborn  will, 
But  prudent,  cautious,  pliant,  still ; 

Who,  since  his  work  was  good, 

Would  do  it,  as  he  could. 

Doubting,  was  not  ashamed  to  doubt, 
And,  lacking  prescience,  went  without ; 
Often  appeared  to  halt, 
And  was,  of  course,  at  fault : 

Heard  all  opinions,  nothing  loth, 
And  loving  both  sides,  angered  both : 
Was — not  like  Justice,  blind, 
But  watchful,  clement,  kind. 

No  hero,  this,  of  Roman  mould  ; 

Nor  like  our  stately  sires  of  old ; 
Perhaps  he  was  not  Great — 
But  he  preserved  the  State ! 


LINCOLN  MEMORIAL.  277 


O  honest  face,  which  all  men  knew  ! 
O  tender  heart,  but  known  to  few  ! 

O  Wonder  of  the  Age, 

Cut  off  by  tragic  Rage ! 

Peace !     Let  the  long  procession  come, 
For  hark! — the  mournful,  muffled  drum— 

The  trumpet's  wail  afar, — 

And  see  !  the  awful  Car ! 

Peace !     Let  the  sad  procession  go, 
While  cannon  boom,  and  bells  toll  slow ; 

And  go,  thou  sacred  Car, 

Bearing  our  Woe  afar ! 

Go,  darkly  borne,  from  State  to  State, 
Whose  loyal,  sorrowing  Cities  wait 
To  honor  all  they  can 
The  dust  of  that  Good  Man  ! 

Go,  grandly  borne,  with  such  a  train 
As  greatest  kings  might  die  to  gain  : 

The  Just,  the  Wise,  the  Brave 

Attend  thee  to  the  grave ! 

And  you,  the  soldiers  of  our  wars, 
Bronzed  veterans,  grim  with  noble  scars, 
Salute  him  once  again, 
Your  late  Commander — slain  ! 

Yes,  let  your  tears,  indignant,  fall, 
But  leave  your  muskets  on  the  wall ; 
Your  Country  needs  you  now 
Beside  the  forge,  the  plough ! 

(When  Justice  shall  unsheathe  her  brand— 
If  Mercy  may  not  stay  her  hand, 

Nor  would  we  have  it  so — 

She  must  direct  the  blow !) 

And  you,  amid  the  Master-Race 
Who  seem  so  strangely  out  of  place, 
Know  ye  who  cometh  ?     He 
Who  hath  declared  ye  Free  ! 


278  LINCOLN  MEMORIAL. 

Bow  while  the  Body  passes — Nay, 
Fall  on  your  knees,  and  weep,  and  pray. 
Weep,  weep — I  would  ye  might— 
Your  poor,  black  faces  white ! 

And,  Children,  you  must  come  in  bands, 
With  garlands  in  your  little  hands, 
Of  blue,  and  white,  and  red, 
To  strew  before  the  Dead ! 

So  sweetly,  sadly,  sternly  goes 
The  Fallen  to  his  last  repose ; 
Beneath  no  mighty  dome, 
But  in  his  modest  Home  ; 

The  churchyard  where  his  children  rest. 
The  quiet  spot  that  suits  him  best ; 
There  shall  his  grave  be  made, 
And  there  his  bones  be  laid ! 

And  there  his  countrymen  shall  come, 
With  memory  proud,  with  pity  dumb, 
And  strangers  far  and  near, 
For  many  and  many  a  year ! 

For  many  a  year,  and  many  an  Age, 
While  History  on  her  ample  page 

The  virtues  shall  enroll 

Of  that  Paternal  Soul ! 


POEMS.  279 


ABRAHAM  LINCOLN. 

FOULLY  ASSASSINATED,  APRIL  14,  1865. 
(From  the  London  Punch.) 

You  lay  a  wreath  on  murdered  Lincoln's  bier, 
You,  who  with  mocking  pencil  wont  to  trace, 

Broad  for  the  self-complacent  British  sneer, 

His  length  of  shambling  limb,  his  furrowed  face, 

His  gaunt,  gnarled  hands,  his  unkempt,  bristling  hair, 
His  garb  uncouth,  his  bearing  ill  at  ease, 

His  lack  of  all  we  prize  as  debonair, 

Of  power  or  will  to  shine,  of  art  to  please. 

You,  whose  smart  pen  backed  up  the  pencil's  laugh, 
Judging  each  step,  as  though  the  way  were  plain ; 

Reckless,  so  it  could  point  its  paragraph, 
Of  chief's  perplexity,  or  people's  pain. 

Beside  this  corpse,  that  bears  for  winding-sheet 
The  stars  and  stripes  he  lived  to  rear  anew, 

Between  the  mourners  at  his  head  and  feet, 
Say,  scurrile  jester,  is  there  room  for  you  ? 

Yes,  he  had  lived  to  shame  me  from  my  sneer, 
To  lame  my  pencil,  and  confute  my  pen — 

To  make  me  own  this  hind  of  princes  peer, 
This  rail-splitter  a  true-born  king  of  men. 

My  shallow  judgment  I  had  learnt  to  rue, 
Noting  how  to  occasion's  height  he  rose, 

How  his  quaint  wit  made  home-truth  seem  more  true, 
How,  iron-like,  his  temper  grew  by  blows. 

How  humble,  yet  how  hopeful  he  could  be : 
How  in  good  fortune  and  in  ill  the  same : 

Nor  bitter  in  success,  nor  boastful  he, 
Thirsty  for  gold,  nor  feverish  for  fame. 

He  went  about  his  work — such  work  as  few 
Ever  had  laid  on  head  and  heart  and  hand — 

As  one  who  knows,  where  there's  a  task  to  do, 

Man's  honest  will  must  Heaven's  good  grace  command  ; 


280  LINCOLN  MEMORIAL. 

Who  trusts  the  strength  will  with  the  burden  grow, 
That  God  makes  instruments  to  work  his  will, 

If  but  that  will  we  .can  arrive  to  know, 

Nor  temper  with  the  weights  of  good  and  ill. 

So  he  went  forth  to  battle,  on  the  side 
That  he  felt  clear  was  Liberty's  and  Right's, 

As  in  his  peasant  boyhood  he  had  plied 

His  warfare  with  rude  Nature's  thwarting  mights — 

The  uncleared  forest,  the  unbroken  soil, 

The  iron  bark  that  turns  the  lumberer's  axe, 

The  rapid,  that  o'erbears  the  boatman's  toil, 

The  prairie,  hiding  the  mazed  wanderer's  tracks, 

The  ambushed  Indian,  and  the  prowling  bear — 
Such  were  the  needs  that  helped  his  youth  to  train : 

Rough  culture — but  such  trees  large  fruit  may  bear, 
If  but  their  stocks  be  of  right  girth  and  grain. 

So  he  grew  up,  a  destined  work  to  do, 

And  lived  to  do  it :  four  long-suffering  years, 

Ill-fate,  ill-feeling,  ill-report,  lived  through, 

And  then  he  heard  the  hisses  changed  to  cheers, 

The  taunts  to  tribute,  the  abuse  to  praise, 

And  took  both  with  the  same  unwavering  mood : 

Till,  as  he  came  on  light,  from  darkling  days, 

And  seemed  to  touch  the  goal  from  where  he  stood, 

A  felon  had,  between  the  goal  and  him, 

Reached  from  behind  his  back,  a  trigger  prest — 

And  those  perplexed  and  patient  eyes  were  dim, 
Those  gaunt,  long  -laboring  limbs  were  laid  to  rest! 

The  words  of  mercy  were  upon  his  lips, 
Forgiveness  in  his  heart  and  on  his  pen, 

When  this  vile  murderer  brought  swift  eclipse 
To  thoughts  of  peace  on  earth,  good-will  to  men. 

The  Old  World  and  the  New,  from  sea  to  sea, 
Utter  one  voice  of  sympathy  and  shame ! 

Sore  heart,  so  stopped  when  it  at  last  beat  high ; 
Sad  life,  cut  short  just  as  its  triumph  came. 


X. 

THE  ASSASSIN  AND  HIS  END, 


TREASON  has  done  his  worst! 

A  hand  accurst 

JIas  made  the  Nation  orphan  by  a  blmv  : 
Has  turned  its  hymns  of  joy  to  wail  and  woe 
As  for  a  father  lost,  a  saviour  slain, — 
And  blood,  and  toil,  and  anguish  spent  in  vain  ! 

Half  his  great  work  was  done, 

By  victory  won 

O'er  recreant  chiefs,  and  rebels  in  the  field, 
Compelled  to  bow  the  knee  and  homage  yield  ; 
And  his  calm  breast,  from  war  and'vengeance  turned, 
With  generous  pity  towards  the  vanquished  yearned. 

Deep  joy  was  in  his  soul 

As  o'er  it  roll 

Sweet  thoughts  of  peace  and  magnanimity, 
Wounds  healed,  wrath  quelled,  his  country  free, 
Foes  turned  to  friends,  the  bitter  past  forgiven ; — 
Such  thoughts  as  earthly  power  make  like  to  heavon. 

While  all  suspicion  slept, 

The  assassin  crept 

Into  the  circle  where,  in  guardless  state, 
The  simple  Chief  in  friendly  converse  sate, 
And,  in  an  instant,  ere  a  hand  could  rise, 
The  Nation's  Hope  a  slaughtered  martyr  lies  1 

In  peace,  great  martyr,  sleep! 

Thy  people  weep, 

But  stop  their  tears  to  swear  upon  thy  grave 
The  cause  thou  died'st  for  they  but  live  to  save; 
And  the  great  Bond,  cemented  by  thy  blood, 
Shall  stand  unbroken,  as  it  still  hath  stood. 

The  traitors  fiendlike  act, 

By  stern  cam  pact, 

Binds  us  still  closer  'gainst  the  murderous  band 
That  fain  with  blood  would  deluge  all  the  land  ; 
But  vanquished  by  the  sword,  for  mercy  kneel, 
And  pay  it,  granted,  with  the  assassin's  steel. 

Oh,  for  this  hellish  deed 

Thousands  shall  bleed, 
That  else  had  lived  to  bless  thy  gentle  name 
By  mercy  wreathed  with  an  immortal  fame  ; 
And  traitors,  from  a  nation's  wrath,  shall  learn 
That  outraged  Pity's  tears  to  sternest  justice  turn  I 

Geo.  Vundenhoffi 


X. 

THE  ASSASSIN  AND  HIS  FATE. 


BOOTH,  %  after  escaping  from  the  theatre,  galloped  away  so 
rapidly,  yet  quietly,  that  his  accomplice,  Harold,  stationed  there 
did  not^at  first  notice  it,  and  was  consequently  unable  to  over 
take  him  for  a  considerable  time.  Their  flight  had,  however, 
been  well  planned ;  their  confederates,  who  had  regularly  called 
out  to  each  other  the  time  in  front  of  the  theatre,  had,  as  the 
blow  was  struck,  cut  the  telegraph  wires.  Booth  and  Harold's 
destination  was  Surrattville,  the  tavern  of  Mrs.  Surratt,  one  of 
the  conspirators.  Here  carbines  and  whiskey  were  in  readiness 
for  thernr  she  herself  going  that  very  day  for  the  second  time  to 
prevent  mistake  or  delay.  Although  Booth,  in  his  leap  to  the 
stage,  had  broken  the  smaller  bone  of  his  leg,  this  did  not  pre 
vent  his  flight,  and  galloping  past  the  Patent  Office,  over  Capital 
Hill,  and  crossing  the  Eastern  branch  at  Uniontown,  Booth 
gave  his  name  to  the  officer  in  charge,  who  having  no  tidings  of 
the  crime,  and  seeing  nothing  suspicious,  allowed  him  and 
Harold  to  proceed,  but  detained  a  third. 

Having  passed  this  first  obstacle,  Booth  pushed  on,  and  at 
midnight  the  two  reached  Surrattville.  Harold  immediately 
roused.  Lloyd,  the  landlord,  and  got  from  him  the  carbines, 
whiskeyr  and  field-glass  which  Mrs.  Surratt  had  directed  him  to 
give  them.  They  took  but  one  carbine,  Harold  saying  that 
Booth  had  broken  his  leg  and  could  not  carry  it.  The  other 
carbine  remained  in  the  hall  and  was  found  by  the  officers. 

Just  as  they  were  about  leaving,  Booth  said,  u  I  will  tell 
you  some  news,  if  you  want  to  hear  it."  Lloyd  says  that  he 
replied  :  "  I  am  not  particular;  use  your  own  choice  about  tell 
ing  news."  "Well,"  said  Booth,  "  I  am  pretty  certain  that  we 
have  assassinated  the  President  and  Secretary  Seward." 

Thus  proclaiming  his  crime,  Booth  and  his  comrade  dashed 


284  LINCOLN  MEMOEIAL. 

away  across  Prince  Greorge's  county.  His  wound  was  now 
painful,  and  although  he  seems  to  have  wished  to  get  the  surgi 
cal  aid  of  Dr.  Stewart,  he  stopped  on  Saturday  morning,  before 
sunrise,  at  the  house  of  Dr.  Samuel  A.  Mudd,  three  miles  from 
Bryan-town.  Mudd  was  brought  to  trial  with  Mrs.  Surratt, 
Harold,  Payne,  and  others,  and  is  shown  to  have  known  Booth, 
and  had  private  business  with  him  a  short  time  before.  At  all 
events  he  now  cut  off  Booth's  riding  boot  and  hastily  set  his 
leg,  extemporizing  splints,  and  ordering  a  hired  man  to  make 
him  a  pair  of  crutches.  Dr.  Mudd  knew  that  there  was  need  of 
haste,  and  used  all  expedition.  He  sheltered  them  all  day,  but 
towards  evening  they  slipped  their  horses  from  the  stable  and 
rode  away  in  the  direction  of  Allen's  Fresh. 

Below  Bryantown  run  certain  deep  and  slimy  swamps ;  along 
the  belt  of  these  Booth  and  Harold  picked  up  a  negro  named 
Swan,  who  volunteered  to  show  them  the  road  for  two  dollars ; 
they  gave  him  five  more  to  show  them  the  route  to  Allen's 
Fresh,  but  really  wished,  as  their  actions  intimated,  to  gain  the 
house  of  one  Sam.  Coxe,  a  notorious  rebel,  and  probably  well 
advised  of  the  plot.  They  reached  the  house  at  midnight.  It 
is  a  fine  dwelling,  one  of  the  best  in  Maryland.  And  after 
hallooing  for  some  time,  Coxe  came  down  to  the  door  himself. 
As  soon  as  he  opened  it  and  beheld  who  the  strangers  were,  he 
instantly  blew  out  a  candle  he  held  in  his  hand,  and  without  a 
word  pulled  them  into  the  house,  the  negro  remaining  in  the 
yard.  The  confederates  remained  in  Coxe's  house  till  4  A.  M., 
during  which  time  the  negro  saw  them  drink  and  eat  heartily; 
but  when  they  appeared  they  spoke  in  a  loud  tone,  so  that  Swan 
could  hear  them,  against  the  hospitality  of  Coxe.  All  this  was 
meant  to  influence  the  negro ;  but  their  motives  were  as  appa 
rent  as  their  words.  He  conducted  them  three  miles  further  on, 
when  they  told  him  that  now  they  knew  .the  way,  and  giving 
him  five  dollars  more — making  twelve  in  all — told  him  to  go 
back. 

But  when  the  negro,  in  the  dusk  of  the  morning,  looked  after 
them  as  he  receded,  he  saw  that  both  horses'  heads  were  turned 
once  more  toward  Coxe's,  and  it  was  this  man,  doubtless,  who 
harbored  the  fugitives  from  Sunday  to  Thursday,  aided,  possibly, 
by  such  neighbors  as  the  Wilsons  and  Adamses. 

At  the  point  where  Booth  crossed  the  Potomac  the  shores  are 
very  shallow,  and  one  must  wade  out  some  distance  to  where  a 


THE  ASSASSIN"  AND  HIS  FATE.  285 

boat  will  float.  A  white  man  came  up  here  with  a  canoe  on 
Friday,  and  tied  it  by  a  stone  anchor.  Between  seven  and 
eight  o'clock  it  disappeared,  and  in  the  afternoon  some  men  at 
work  on  Methxy  creek,  in  Virginia,  saw  Booth  and  Harold 
land,  tie  the  boat's  rope  to  a  stone,  and  fling  it  ashore. 
and  strike  at  once  across  a  ploughed  field  for  King  George 
Court, House.  They  thence  reached  the  Rappahannock  at  Port 
Conway,  and  crossing,  were  aided  on  their  route  by  a  party  of 
rebel  cavalrymen  on  their  way  to  their  homes.  By  their  help 
they  reached  the  house  of  one  Garrett,  near  Bowling  Green,  the 
court-house  town  of  Caroline  County,  a  small  scattered  place. 

Meanwhile  the  authorities  at  Washington  had  been  scouring 
the  country  in  vain,  till  the  regular  detectives  of  Baker's  force 
were  set  at  work.  A  negro  was  soon  found  who  declared  that 
he  had  seen  Booth  and  another  man  cross  the  Potomac  in  a 
fishing  boat.  The  point  of  crossing  led  Colonel  Baker  to  con 
clude  that  he  would  attempt  to  pass  Port  Royal  as  the  only 
feasible  point.  A  party  of  twenty-five  cavalry,  under  Lieutenant 
Dougherty,  was  accordingly  despatched,  the  expedition  being 
under  the.  command  of  Lieut.-Col.  E.  J.  Conger,  of  Ohio.  At 
Port  Royal  they  got  the  first  certain  traces  of  the  assassins ; 
pushing  on  they  surprised,  in  bed,  at  Bowling  Green,  Jett  the 
rebel  captain,  on  whose  horse  Booth  had  ridden.  He  soon 
reyealed  all  he  knew.  The  party  then  taking  him  as  a  guide 
retraced  their  steps,  and  by  two  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  the 
25th  of  April  they  halted  at  Garrett's  gate.  Rousing  up  the 
proprietor,  they  demanded  where  the  men  were.  Garrett  at  first 
declared  that  they  had  gone,  and  the  women  of  the  family, 
whose  rooms  were  searched,  corroborated  this  statement.  But 
Garrett's  son  acknowledged  that  the  fugitives  were  in  the  barn. 
This  was  at  once  surrounded;  but  instead  of  bursting  in  at 
different  points,  they  began  to  parley.  Lieutenant  Baker 
hailed : 

"  To  the  persons  in  this  barn.  I  have  a  proposal  to  make ; 
we  are  about  to  send  into  you  the  son  of  the  man  in  whose  cus 
tody  you  are  found.  Either  surrender  to  him  your  arms  and 
then  give  yourselves  up,  or  we'll  set  fire  to  the  place.  We 
mean  to  take  you  both,  or  to  have  a  bonfire  and  a  shooting 
match." 

No  answer  came  to  this  of  any  kind.     The  lad,  John   M. 


286  LINCOLN  MEMORIAL. 

Garrett,  who  was  in  deadly  fear,  was  here  pushed  through  the 
door  by  a  sudden  opening  of  it,  and  immediately  Lieutenant 
Baker  locked  the  door  on  the  outside.  The  boy  was  heard 
to  state  his  appeal  in  an  under  tone.  Booth  replied :  "  Damn 
you.  Get  out  of  here.  You  have  betrayed  me,"  and  appa 
rently  attempted  to  kill  the  lad,  who  escaped  in  terror.  Baker 
then  said : 

"  You  must  surrender  inside  there.  Give  up  your  arms  and 
appear.  There  is  no  chance  for  escape.  We  give  you  five 
minutes  to  make  up  your  mind." 

"  Who  are  you,  and  what  do  you  want  with  us  ?" 

Baker  again  urged:  "We  want  you  to  deliver  up  your 
arms  and  become  our  prisoners." 

u  But  who  are  you  ?"  hallooed  the  same  voice. 

Baker. — "  That  makes  no  difference.  We  know  who  you  are, 
and  we  want  you.  We  have  here  fifty  men,  armed  with  car 
bines  and  pistols.  You  cannot  escape." 

There  was  a  long  pause,  and  then  Booth  said :  "  Captain,  this 
is  a  hard  case,  I  swear.  Perhaps  I  am  being  taken  by  my  own 
friends."  ~No  reply  by  the  detective. 

Booth. — "  Well,  give  us  a  little  time  to  consider." 

Baker.—"  Very  well.     Take  time." 

Here  ensued  a  long  and  eventful  pause.  What  thronging 
memories  it  brought  to  Booth,  we  can  only  guess.  In  this  little 
interval  he  made  the  resolve  to  die.  But  he  was  cool  and 
steady  to  the  end.  Baker,  after  a  lapse,  hailed  for  the  last 
time. 

"Well,  we  have  waited  long  enough;  surrender  your  arms 
and  come  out,  or  we'll  fire  the  barn." 

Booth  answered  thus:  "I  am  but  a  cripple,  a  one-legged 
man.  Withdraw  your  forces  one  hundred  yards  from  the  door, 
and  I  will  come.  Give  me  a  chance  for  my  life,  captain.  I  will 
never  be  taken  alive."  * 

Baker. — "  We  did  not  come  here  to  fight,  but  to  capture  you.. 
I  say  again,  appear,  or  the  barn  shall  be  fired." 

Then  with  a  long  breath,  which  could  be  heard  outside. 
Booth  cried  in  sudden  calmness,  still  invisible,  as  were  to  him 
his  enemies : — 

"  Well,  then,  my  brave  boys,  prepare  a  stretcher  for  me." 

There  was  a  pause  repeated,  broken  by  low  discussions  within. 


THE  ASSASSIN  AND  HIS  FATE.  287 

between  Booth  and  his  associate,  the  former  saying,  as  if  in 
answer  to  some  remonstrance  or  appeal,  "Get  away  from  me. 
You  are  a  damned  coward,  and  mean  to  leave  me  in  my  distress ; 
but  go,  go.  I  don't  want  you  to  stay.  I  won't  have  you  stay." 
Then  he  shouted  aloud  : — 

"  There's  a  man  inside  who  wants  to  surrender." 

Baker. — "  Let  him  come,  if  he  will  bring  his  arms." 

Here  Harold,  rattling  at  the  door,  said  i  "  Let  me  out ;  open 
the  door  ;  I  want  to  surrender." 

Baker. — u  Hand  out  your  arms,  then."          « 

Harold. — "  I  have  not  got  any." 

Baker. — "  You  are  the  man  who  carried  the  carbine  yester 
day  ;  bring  it  out." 

Harold. — "  I  haven't  got  any." 

This  was  said  in  a  whining  tone.  Booth  cried  aloud  at  this 
nesitation :  "  He  hasn't  got  any  arms ;  they  are  mine,  and  I 
have  kept  them." 

Baker. — "  Well,  he  carried  the  carbine,  and  must  bring  it  out." 

Booth. — "  On  the  word  and  honor  of  a  gentleman,  he  has  no 
arms  with  him.  They  are  mine,  and  I  have  got  them." 

At  this  time  Harold  was  quite  up  to  the  door,  within  whisper 
ing  distance  of  Baker.  The  latter  told  him  to  put  out  his  hands 
to  be  handcuffed,  at  the  same  time  drawing  open  the  door  a  little 
distance.  Harold  thrust  forth  his  hands,  when  Baker  seizing 
him  jerked  him  into  the  night,  and  straightway  delivered  him 
over  to  a  deputation  of  cavalrymen.  The  fellow  began  to  talk 
of  his  innocence  and  pleaded  so  noisily  that  Conger  threatened  to 
gag  him  unless  he  ceased.  Then  Booth  made  his  last  appeal  in 
the  same  clear,  unbroken  voice : — 

"  Captain,  give  me  a  chance.  Draw  off  your  men  and  I  will 
fight  them  singly.  I  could  have  killed  you  six  times  to-night, 
but  I  believe  you  to  be  a  brave  man,  and  would  not  murder 
you.  Give  a  lame  man  a  show." 

Ere  he  ceased  speaking,  Colonel  Conger  slipping  around  to 
the  rear,  drew  some  loose  straws  through  a  crack,  and  lit  a 
match  upon  them.  They  were  dry  and  blazed  up  in  an  instant. 
Booth  was  now  at  bay.  Unable  from  the  light  to  detect  any 
one  of  those  outside,  he  at  last,  carbine  in  poise,  pushed  to  the 
door,  evidently  resolved  to  sell  his  life  dearly,  but  before  he 
reached  it,  Boston  Corbet,  a  sergeant,  eyeing  him  through  a 


288  LINCOLN  MEMORIAL. 

crack,  fired.  The  ball  entered  Booth's  head,  and  he  fell. 
Conger  and  two  sergeants  then  entered,  and  carrying  him  out 
of  the  flames  laid  him  on  the  grass.  He  appeared  to  be  insen 
sible,  but  in  a  few  minutes  partially  revived,  and  made,  efforts  to 
speak.  By  placing  his  ear  close  to  Booth's  mouth,  Colo 
nel  Conger  heard  him  say,  "Tell  my  mother  I  die  for  my 
country." 

He  was  then  carried  to  the  porch  of  Grarrett's  house.  Colonel 
Conger  sent  to  Port  Koyal  for  a  physician,  who,  on  his  arrival, 
found  Booth  dying.  Before  the  moment  of  final  dissolution  he 
repeated,  "  Tell*'  mother  I  died  for  my  country.  I  did  what  I 
thought  was  for  the  best." 

When  an  effort  was  made  to  revive  him  by  bathing  his  face 
and  hands  in  cold  water,  he  uttered  the  words  "  Useless — useless." 
He  was  shot  at  about  fifteen  minutes  past  three  A.  M.,  and  died 
a  little  after  seven  A.  M.,  on  Wednesday. 

When  it  was  ascertained  that  he  was  dead,  the  body  was 
placed  upon  a  cart — the  only  conveyance  that  could  be  procured 
— and  brought  to  Belle  Plain,  where  it  was  placed  upon  the 
steamer,  and  conveyed  to  the  navy  yard  at  Washington.  After 
it  was  deposited  there  it  was  identified  by  Dr.  May,  who  had  on 
one  occasion  cut  a  tumor  from  Booth's  neck,  and  recognised  the 
scar  thus  made.  It  was  also  identified  by  some  thirty  others, 
who  were  familiar  with  Booth  during  his  lifetime,  as  well  as  by  his 
initials  on  his  arm.  The  body  was  somewhat  bruised  on  the 
back  and  shoulders  by  the  ride  in  the  cart  from  Grarrett's  farm 
to  Belle  Plain,  but  the  features  were  intact,  and  perfectly  recog 
nisable. 

After  the  identification,  by  order  of  the  War  Department,  the 
body  was  privately  buried,  in  the  clothing  which  was  upon  it 
at  the  time  Booth  was  shot. 

Thus  closed  the  career  of  Booth,  who  is  to  be  regarded  either 
as  one  of  that  silly  weak-minded  class  in  the  Border  States,  who 
have  outheroded  Herod  in  their  attempts  to  gain  the  good 
opinions  of  the  South  Carolinians,  or  perhaps  more  likely  as  a 
mere  cut-throat,  lured  by  a  bribe  to  commit  treason  in  its  most 
concentrated  shape,  the  assassination  of  the  head  of  the  govern 
ment,  the  base-born  son  of  a  mad  actor,  the  fitting  tool  for  the 
last  crime  of  Slavery. 


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